Thuringia BSW faction opposes allowance increase

The BSW parliamentary group in Thuringia has voiced opposition to an automatic increase in state parliament members' allowances for the upcoming year. Ralph Hutschenreuther, the BSW group's justice policy spokesperson, stated that in the current economic climate, it is difficult to justify a salary increase of around 300 euros for lawmakers, especially given negative economic trends.

In Thuringia, the allowances for state parliament members are adjusted automatically each year according to the state constitution. This adjustment is based on general income developments for allowances and general price trends for expenses. This automatic mechanism has been a point of contention for many years, with parties like the Left Party advocating for its termination.

However, the BSW's stance may find support among other parliamentary groups. The SPD parliamentary group's leader, Lutz Liebscher, indicated that his party is generally open to suspending the 2027 allowance increase, though a two-thirds majority in parliament would be necessary. Representatives from the Left Party and the AfD have also signaled openness to the proposal. The CDU parliamentary group is reportedly discussing the BSW's suggestion internally, with its parliamentary manager, Ulrike Jary, noting that the compensation for members of parliament in Thuringia is considered fairly regulated and linked to general wage development.