The CDU/CSU parliamentary group intends to suspend the automatic increase of parliamentary allowances scheduled for July 1st. During interviews with RTL and ntv, the parliamentary director Steffen Bilger stated that politicians must contribute to the effort.
He explained that the party plans to discuss the matter in the parliamentary group sessions on Monday and Tuesday. The goal is to implement a suspension of the allowance increase, linking it to further major reforms, such as the pending health care reform. Bilger argued that since there is significant public willingness to accept reforms and the burdens they entail, political figures must reciprocate.
Bilger confirmed that talks on this issue have been ongoing with the coalition partner. He elaborated that while it is true that salary development dictates politicians’ pay and that they cannot determine it independently, making it difficult to deviate from the norm for this year, the group is in agreement with the SPD that the step must be taken now.
Since the allowances are scheduled to automatically rise on July 1st, Bilger emphasized the necessity of introducing the required legislation quickly.