The salaries of members of the German Bundestag will increase by six percent from July. This means you are following the average wage development over the past year. Criticism of the increase comes from the left.
The salaries of members of the Bundestag will rise by six percent to 11,227.20 euros per month from July. This was the result of a recalculation of the old diet rates based on the average wage development in Germany, as the Bundestag announced.
Accordingly, that quantifies Federal Statistical Office increased nominal wages to six percent. The so-called compensation amount, i.e. the monthly salary of MPs, which has been in effect since July 2023, will increase by EUR 635.50 from EUR 10,591.70, which corresponds to exactly six percent.
The Federal Statistical Office uses the so-called nominal wage index to map the development of employees’ gross monthly earnings. In 2023 it rose more sharply than ever since 2008. The strong general wage increase is primarily due to payments of the inflation compensation bonus and the minimum wage increase to twelve euros in October 2022.
Leftists criticize “big drink from the bottle”
In addition to the newly calculated amount subject to income tax, a tax-free expense allowance is added as part of the so-called official equipment. It is currently 5,051.54 euros per month. The MPs have to cover all expenses from this, such as a constituency office or a second home in Berlin.
Criticism of the diet increase came from the Left party. The increase is the highest in almost 30 years, said Left party leader Janine Wissler – and this at a time when cuts in citizens’ benefits and social cuts are being discussed. “The Bundestag refuses an appropriate minimum wage increase to 15 euros, but gives the MPs a big drink from the bottle.” Wissler criticized that a suspension of the diet increase would also have been appropriate given the tight state budget.