Germany cracks down on nepotism in taxpayer-funded political jobs
German lawmakers are pushing for stricter rules on hiring relatives at taxpayer expense. The CDU/CSU and SPD parties have agreed on a plan to prevent nepotism in public-funded jobs. They want to stop MPs from employing spouses or family members of other politicians using public money.
The proposal comes from Hendrik Hoppenstedt of the CDU and Johannes Fechner of the SPD. Both are drafting a joint bill to tighten existing regulations. Their aim is to close a loophole that currently allows Bundestag members to hire relatives of state or European lawmakers with public funds.
Hoppenstedt criticised cases where politicians systematically hired each other's family members to increase household incomes. He called this practice 'an absolutely unacceptable swamp of corruption that must be drained'. The new rules would cover members of the Bundestag, MEPs, and state parliamentarians.
Despite the push for reform, Hoppenstedt admitted challenges ahead. Constitutional protections on freedom of occupation could complicate enforcement. The proposal also clarifies that lawmakers can still hire relatives—but only if they pay for it themselves.
The draft bill seeks to strengthen the Members of Parliament Act. If passed, it would block taxpayer-funded jobs for relatives of other politicians. The measure targets misuse of public money while respecting constitutional rights.
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