The decision comes at a time when the federal government is calling on the public to brace for sweeping reforms. Union and SPD are aiming to send a signal: MPs should lead by example. The underlying mechanism, which ties the allowances annually to the development of average wages, is to be suspended for this year.
SPD and Union had previously agreed on this line, which is also supported by the opposition. This puts an end to the dispute that, according to FAZ, had actually long been settled. However, the debate over the appropriateness of parliamentary compensation flares up again and again.
The Basic Law guarantees MPs “appropriate compensation ensuring their independence.” In the tense budget situation, the millions saved are hardly significant, but the symbol, according to FAZ, seems bizarre: it appears as if parliamentarians want to apologize for doing their job. The debate they are unleashing may not be easily contained.
Source: www.faz.net
