Expenditure on business trips by members of the Bundestag has recently increased significantly. Savings should now be made: In the future, politicians will have to go to economy class for flights that last less than four hours.
Economy instead of business class – this will in future apply to the 735 members of the Bundestag if business flights last less than four hours. This is the result of the discussions between the Presidium, the Council of Elders and the parliamentary management of the parliamentary groups, according to a letter from Bundestag President Bärbel Bas (SPD). With this she informed the chairmen of the Bundestag committees about the new rule.
The change is intended to lead to a reduction in expenses for business trips. According to an overview by the President of the Bundestag, the Bundestag spent almost seven million euros on 956 trips abroad in the first half of the electoral term. This is the total cost, so in addition to flights, hotel costs are also included. The period is from October 26, 2021 to September 30, 2023.
It is noticeable that expenditure has increased significantly. Although the fourth quarter is missing for 2023, the costs of around 3.7 million euros were significantly higher than those for the entire year 2022, in which expenses amounted to around 3.1 million.
Flights within Europe were particularly affected
The new regulation primarily affects flights within Europe. According to a conservative estimate, the savings potential from switching from business to economy class is around half the costs, the Bundestag administration said. According to her, the MPs have so far generally flown in business class. In order to “increase the quality of travel”, MPs at airports can, if available, book and bill for access to the business lounge and expedited processing at security checks.
Within Germany, the parliamentarians could get by without flights anyway – their equipment also includes a free BahnCard 100.