Bundestag begins debate on suspending this year's automatic pay rise for members

The bill's drafters argue that "in diesen herausfordernden Zeiten" citizens are facing burdens, and that it is the "right signal" to exceptionally not increase members' compensation this year. They state that "In Sondersituationen können allerdings Abweichungen geboten sein, um die Angemessenheit der Abgeordnetenentschädigung sicherzustellen," pointing to the "generally and additionally challenging economic situation and tense budgetary situation due to the war in Iran" as a special situation justifying the deviation.

Justification from the drafters

According to the Deutsche Presse-Agentur, the purpose of skipping the raise is to send a savings signal to the population in economically difficult times. From the governing factions it was said that "in der angespannten Haushalts- und Wirtschaftslage seien Strukturreformen notwendig, die auch mit Belastungen für die Bürgerinnen und Bürger einhergingen," adding that it is therefore a "Gebot der Glaubwürdigkeit und der Verantwortung," that in this situation members of parliament also make an additional contribution to the necessary savings.

The Bundestag introduced the automatic adjustment mechanism in 2014 to avoid having to decide anew each year on the level of parliamentary compensation, linking salaries to the nominal wage index. Each newly elected Bundestag must vote on whether to retain the index-linked procedure for the legislative term; if it is not reaffirmed, compensation remains at the same level for the entire legislative term.

Effects on retirement assessment amounts

The same approach is to apply to the fictitious assessment amounts for retirement benefits under Sections 35a and 35b of the Abgeordnetengesetz. For entitlements and vested rights of members, former members, and their surviving dependents that arose by 31 December 2007, the assessment amount would rise in July by 4.2 percent from 11,321.39 euros to 11,796.89 euros, fall in August to 10,845.89 euros, and return to 11,321.39 euros from September. For members who belonged to the Bundestag on 22 December 1995, former members, and their surviving dependents, the corresponding amounts would shift from 10,117.47 euros to 10,542.40 euros in July, then to 9,692.54 euros in August, and back to 10,117.47 euros from September. In both cases, the regular adjustment is to resume on 1 July 2027.

On the payroll side, the 12,330.48 euro amount would be paid in July; the 497.01 euro increase would be deducted in August from the current 11,833.47 euro compensation, resulting in 11,336.46 euros paid; from September the amount would return to 11,833.47 euros.

Reactions across the Bundestag

Opposition voices broadly welcomed the suspension while pushing for a more permanent move. The AfD and Left are demanding a general and not only one-time waiver of the regular annual adjustment of parliamentary compensation, because they consider it already high enough. AfD parliamentary floor manager Stephan Brandner said citizens would have no understanding for a pay increase, while Helge Limburg, the Green party's spokesperson on legal policy, called the move a "richtigen Zeichen in diesen schwierigen Zeiten." Previously, the annual decisions on the level of compensation were regularly accompanied by heated discussions including accusations of self-enrichment.

The next regular adjustment of members' compensation is to take place on 1 July 2027, based on the 11,833.47 euro amount. The bill is attributed to the coalition factions CDU/CSU and SPD, and the article indicating the "null run" was published on 11 June 2026.