(Epilogue; 00-04; p.4)

Constructive critique

Where’s the positive? – For ending the retrospect of the year in a more conciliatory mood, a detailed critique of MP’s salaries and pensions is omitted here. Instead, a proposal is offered.

The according article in Germany’s Basic Law, her constitution, in an unofficial translation reads: "Members of Parliament [the German Bundestag] are entitled to an adequate, their independence ensuring compensation. They are entitled to use all public transport free of charge. Details are regulated in a federal law." (cf. Art. 48 Abs. 3 GG)
– The mentioned federal law is the so called "Abgeordnetengesetz", translated: law on Members of Parliament; for members of the government the more strictly "Bundesministergesetz", law on federal ministers is applied.

The details, especially the quantity of compensation and regulations about pensions are over and over cause for debates about adequacy. A clear constitutional rule seems therefore useful to stipulate these matters transparently and solidly.

In the proposal offered, the Basic Law’s article 48 paragraph 3 reads: "Members of Parliament [the German Bundestag] are entitled to an adequate, their independence ensuring compensation. The compensation amounts to thirty times the base money for social benefits; the base for calculation is given by the Member of Parliament’s election district or state’s list [in case of indirect vote, which is due to the voting system]. Monetary yielded activities while having a seat have to be declared to the Parliament’s administration and will be deducted from the compensation; all costs emerging from the mandate are covered by the compensation. Members of Parliament are entitled to pensions and maintenance according to the regulations for employees, self-employed or entrepreneurs; a specific compensation for pensioners will not be given. Members of Parliament are entitled to use all public transport free of charge."

(end of article)