The opposition has urged the ruling coalition to introduce legislation into Parliament during the coming session week to suspend the scheduled increase in salaries.
Ina Latendorf, the parliamentary director for Die Linke, told the “Rheinische Post” that it would be “an important sign for the people in the country” if the raise suspension were enacted quickly and unconditionally. Latendorf warned that otherwise, the coalition risks missing the deadline for the suspension of the allowance increase by July 1st.
Helge Limburg, the political spokesman for the Greens, also demanded that the CDU/CSU and SPD present the legislative draft promptly. Limburg stated that the coalition must act quickly on this, noting that doing so would otherwise inevitably lead to “massive frustration and outrage among the population”. He added that since the agenda for the next plenary week has not been finalized, there is still a possibility to include and vote on the appropriate draft.
Meanwhile, the Social Democrats (SPD) affirmed that the suspension of the salary increase is certain. Johannes Fechner, the SPD’s parliamentary director, told the “Rheinische Post” “For the SPD, it is clear: the salaries will not be increased this year”.
Fechner noted that the CDU/CSU (Union) had recently indicated a need for further internal discussion. He projected that the legislative draft would first be reviewed in the Bundestag during the second week of June. However, he added that if the law only takes effect after July 1st and the increase is paid out in July, the SPD wants to ensure in the legislation that the increase will be offset in August.
