In July, members of the Bundestag are scheduled to receive automatic salary increases that follow the mechanism used for public servants to adjust pay for inflation. Junior coalition partner the Social Democrats (SPD), along with the opposition Left Party, want the planned rise scrapped because of the current economic situation.
Official statistics show inflation hit 2.9% in April 2026, with prices for basics like coffee and eggs up by at least 14% since 2020 and heating oil and other fuels up at least 20%. Surveys indicate many households are in “saving mode.” Critics say an MP pay rise would be tone-deaf while ordinary people struggle.
The Christian Democrats (CDU), the senior coalition partner, argue the automatic system should remain in place. CDU parliamentary leader Jens Spahn told public broadcaster ARD that the mechanism is preferable to the pre-2014 approach when lawmakers set their own increases.
Parliamentary co-chair of the Left Party, Heidi Reichinnek, said lawmakers “earn enough” and should show solidarity with citizens. If implemented, Bundestag members’ base monthly salary before tax will rise from €11,833 to €12,330 on July 1.