Brandenburg’s state parliament members can look forward to a warm windfall of money: from January 1st, the 88 state parliament members from the SPD, AfD, BSW and CDU will receive a total of around 500 euros more. Around 9,800 euros per month will then go to Brandenburg’s representatives.
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This is due to an automatic adjustment of the diets: The MPs Act passed in 2013 regulates that the salaries of MPs are automatically adjusted to price developments in the country year after year: the average income development of employees, which is 5.7 percent, serves as the benchmark for the increase has risen, and the development of consumer prices, which rose by 3.7 percent last year. The overall diet is based on the salary of a mayor of a city with 40,000 inhabitants.
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But while there was cross-party agreement on Tuesday that the automatic adjustment of MPs’ diets should be put to the test, only the AfD parliamentary group was in favor of suspending the upcoming adjustment. “We have to continually renegotiate the amount of the diets as part of a parliamentary debate,” demanded MP Lena Kotré.
On the other hand, BSW boss Robert Crumbach explained that existing laws must be respected. “We will find a new regulation in the spring,” said Crumbach. You have to look at whether the reference size is still the right one. “We will also have to talk about the automatic adjustment process,” said Crumbach. “We don’t know whether that’s smart or not so smart.”
More about the Brandenburg state parliament
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On the other hand, representatives of the SPD and CDU were convinced of the current system. “The rules apply,” said the CDU’s parliamentary director, Steeven Bretz. However, one realizes that there is a public discussion about the need to increase the diet. “We are well advised to question what a better regulation could be,” said Bretz. His SPD colleague Ludwig Scheetz also said that his group saw no acute need for action. The current mechanism works.
How do you think the recent salary increase for Brandenburg’s state parliament members will impact public perception of elected officials and their accountability to constituents?
1. As the state parliament members of Brandenburg will receive a salary increase starting from January 1st, 2022, what are your thoughts on the current system for adjusting the salaries of MPs? Does it require any changes or improvements?
2. The salary increase is based on the automatic adjustment of MPs’ diets to match consumer price index and employee salary growth rates. Do you think this is an efficient and fair model for determining the remuneration of elected representatives?
3. Brandenburg’s state parliament’s revenue comes from various sources, including taxes and subsidies from the federal government. In light of these financial resources, how should the diet of MPs be structured to ensure they are adequately compensated while also being mindful of public spending priorities?
4. Some members have expressed concerns about suspending the salary increase while others advocate for continuous negotiation on the amount of the diets. As MPs, how do you balance the need for fair compensation with the public’s expectations for fiscal responsibility?
5. With the rise of populist parties like AfD, there has been much debate around how to handle their representation in parliaments. How do you plan to address this issue in Brandenburg’s state parliament, and what steps can be taken to ensure that these members are productive and respectful participants in the democratic process?
6. As the new salary increase takes effect, what are your top priorities for the upcoming session of the Brandenburg state parliament? How will you ensure that you make the most of this increase to better serve your constituents?
7. With the current pandemic situation, many industries and sectors have been hit hard. How can the state parliament work with the federal government and local businesses to provide financial support and stimulate economic recovery in Brandenburg?
8. what role do you see the Brandenburg state parliament playing in shaping the future of the region and the country as a whole? What initiatives or policies do you intend to pursue to make Brandenburg a more prosperous and equitable place to live and work?
