Union and FDP Lawmakers Lead Bundestag in Side Earnings

A significant number of Bundestag members, particularly from the Union and FDP, report substantial secondary income alongside their parliamentary duties.

• Nearly half of all Bundestag members have declared additional income during the current legislative period.
• Union and FDP members have the highest percentage of side earnings, with 63% and 59% of their representatives reporting extra income, respectively.
• The total declared side earnings among Bundestag members exceed 51 million euros, with notable figures like CDU's Albert Stegemann reporting 7.9 million euros.
• Side earnings stem from various activities, including corporate roles, speaking engagements, and business ownership, but must be disclosed if they exceed specific financial thresholds.
• The transparency of these earnings is questioned as some reported figures are gross amounts, not reflecting actual net income after expenses.

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