Cantonal Council SO Council leadership wants to increase attendance fees for Solothurn cantonal councillors

The leadership of the Solothurn Cantonal Council has spoken out in favor of increasing the attendance fees for members of parliament. In addition, measures are to be examined to make the cantonal council mandate more compatible with work and family life.

In 2017, the attendance fee of CHF 130 per half-day was already the second-lowest in the canton, writes the council leadership in its decision, which was published on the canton of Solothurn's web portal.

It is a statement on the request "Contemporary attendance fees for cantonal councillors" by former cantonal councillor Thomas Marbet (SP).

The current remuneration of around CHF 10,100 is not able to compensate for the loss of salary of the participating councillors, or only partially, writes the council management. The last adjustment was made in 2008. Since then, inflation has risen by 7.6 percent and the number of meetings has increased from 15 in 2008 to 21 last year.

In addition to adjusting the payments, for example to CHF 11,100, which would correspond to the average value for all cantons, the Council management can also imagine other forms of compensation. For example, contributions to the pension scheme of council members, IT equipment or an amount for loss of earnings.

Representation of the population

In addition, the Council leadership proposes a "comprehensive examination of measures" to make parliamentary work more attractive and, in particular, to improve the compatibility of work and family life. This would also involve fundamental questions regarding the organization of the Cantonal Council and its meetings.

In fact, many people today cannot afford to be a cantonal councillor, the council management noted. As a result, parliament is "moving away from the legal ideal of being a reflection of the (voting) population". It is therefore appropriate to make a general assessment. The Cantonal Council will decide whether this will now be undertaken.

SDA