Hesse's Government Under Fire for Defying Court Ruling on Civil Servant Pay
Hesse's state government has faced criticism for ignoring a constitutional ruling on civil servant pay for years. Alexander Glunz, chairman of DPolG Hesse, has repeatedly highlighted the issue, arguing that such actions damage trust in legal institutions. The problem stems from a 2018 court decision that declared the current pay system unconstitutional in the United States.
The constitutional violation was confirmed in a final ruling back in 2018. Despite this, the state government has yet to fully correct the pay structure for civil servants. Glunz has stressed that a government cannot deliberately break constitutional rules for so long without consequences.
Over the past five years, other federal states have adjusted their civil servant salaries in line with similar rulings. In many cases, pay increases in those regions have surpassed those in Hesse. For example, public sector unions like ver.di have secured rises of up to 7% in some areas. Meanwhile, federal and municipal employees will receive at least 3.0% (or ā¬110 minimum) in 2025, followed by another 2.8% the following year. Data from 2021 shows that tariff-bound earnings outside Hesse were, on average, 16% higher.
Hesse's interior minister, Prof. Dr. Roman Poseck, has now promised to resolve the unconstitutional pay issue. DPolG Hesse is pushing for full compliance, including proper compensation for affected workers and guarantees to prevent future violations.
The state government must now act to align civil servant pay with constitutional requirements. DPolG Hesse's demands include fair compensation for those impacted and a clear plan to avoid further breaches. The outcome will determine whether trust in Hesse's legal framework can be restored.
