Despite a reduction in the number of Bundestag members by 103 following the recent electoral reform, parliamentary costs are projected to surge, according to calculations by the German Taxpayers’ Association (BdSt) and reported by Bild. The Bundestag budget is forecasted to reach €1.276 billion in 2026, a significant increase of €126 million.
The apparent contradiction – escalating costs alongside a smaller legislature – stems from the fact that the parliamentary administration largely remains unchanged, negating anticipated savings from the reduced headcount. The BdSt highlights that personnel costs for staff supporting individual parliamentarians account for roughly €280 million annually. Each MP is reportedly allocated a minimum of €325,768 per year for their office personnel, a figure drawing increasing scrutiny amidst broader concerns about government spending.
Furthermore, the extensive network of parliamentary properties continues to contribute substantially to the escalating expenses. Currently, a complex system of 6,300 offices spread across 32 locations in Berlin is maintained, with a planned expansion of the Marie-Elisabeth-Lüders-Haus set to add an additional 300 offices.
“The electoral reform has indeed shrunk the Bundestag somewhat” stated BdSt President Reiner Holznagel, “but the surrounding infrastructure is simply too expensive”. He emphasized the disproportionate size of the administrative apparatus and the considerable financial burden imposed by the sprawling property holdings.
Holznagel is now advocating for further cuts and a reopening of the debate surrounding the optimal size of the German parliament. He questioned the immutability of the current 630-member legislature, suggesting that a parliament of 500 members would be sufficient. His remarks signal a growing pressure on lawmakers to demonstrate fiscal responsibility and reassess the existing parliamentary structure, sparking potential controversy and a reevaluation of the very foundation of German representation.
