The Impact of German MPs’ Outside Activities on Their Parliamentary Careers

Abstract

Moonlighting by members of parliament is a controversial issue with consequences that are still not particularly well-researched. Drawing on theories of legislative organisation, we aim to shed light on this topic by scrutinising how MPs’ outside activities are associated with their political careers. For this purpose, we differentiate outside activities into work-related side jobs and lobbying-oriented interest affiliations. Furthermore, we assess parliamentary careers in terms of obtaining leading positions in committees and in working groups or sections in parliamentary parties. Our analysis of the members of the 19th German Bundestag (2017–2021) that were re-elected and subsequently appointed to offices in the 20th legislative period shows that some interest affiliations have a positive impact on the likelihood of being appointed to an office while side jobs and outside earnings do not appear to have an effect. In sum, our findings show that parliamentary party groups value MPs’ ties to interest organisations, but also question the collective benefits of MPs’ side jobs to legislation.