The independence of Members of Parliament is based on their remuneration. In the Bundestag they receive a net amount of EUR 20,000.00 each month and in the Landtag (German state parliament) a net amount of EUR 15,000 each month. Members of Parliament who can furnish proof of higher average salary during the last 5 years before becoming a Member of Parliament receive the average salary of the previous 5 years instead of the basic salary to encourage all those who are now acting in the background to become directly involved in parliamentary politics.