Outside interests
"Outside interests" and "additional income" are often confused. Not every outside interest is a source of additional income.
Almost all Members have one or even several "outside interests": honorary positions in charitable organisations, educational and welfare responsibilities, seats on municipal councils, posts on the governing bodies of political parties and positions in clubs, associations and foundations.
It is often forgotten that Members merely have a mandate for a certain period – they are only ever elected for four years. In many cases, they simply need to maintain contact with their professions and make provision for the years after they leave Parliament. Not only that, connections to the world of work are also good for Parliament:
1. Members with "outside interests" bring colour to the Bundestag. They enrich the work of Parliament with their experience and the impressions they gain outside politics.
2. Many people are firmly convinced that the remuneration of Members who earn additional income should be reduced. However, this is not possible. Remuneration must be equally high for all Members. This is obligatory under the German constitution. Consequently, no deductions may be made from Members’ remuneration on account of additional income or private assets. Anyone who demands this is calling for the creation of two classes of parliamentarian.
3. All outside interests – paid or unpaid – have to be declared to the President of the German Bundestag in order to ensure that the public is informed of any possible conflicts of interest. Activities that earn additional income are subject to strict rules of conduct. Anyone who contravenes them must expect that this fact will be published. There is no other professional group in Germany that has subjected itself to similar obligations.
