Members of the German Bundestag who are absent without excuse from parliamentary sessions will face increased financial penalties, according to a report in the “Rheinische Post” published Wednesday The proposed changes aim to improve attendance and discipline during plenary sessions by raising the deduction from the monthly expense allowance from 200 to 300 euros for each unexcused absence
The proposal is contained in a draft revision of the Bundestag’s rules of procedure, which the governing coalition of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Social Democratic Party (SPD) intends to introduce to parliament next week The tax-free expense allowance, currently 5,34958 euros per month, is designed to cover costs incurred while fulfilling parliamentary duties
Furthermore, the coalition intends to double the fines imposed on disruptive members of parliament Currently, the initial penalty for disruptive behavior is 1,000 euros, increasing to 2,000 euros for repeated offenses The Bundestag President can levy these fines for violations of the house rules that are considered more than minor