The Hungarian Parliament voted for a significant reduction in the salaries of MPs and government officials
Kyiv • UNN
The Hungarian Parliament has cut MPs' salaries by 40% and limited office expenses. The incomes of the Prime Minister and ministers will also decrease significantly.
The Hungarian Parliament has passed a bill that could lead to one of the largest reductions in politicians' incomes in recent years. The initiative by the ruling "Tisza" party was also voted for by opposition forces, while the "Fidesz" and "Mi Hazánk" parties had previously declared their readiness to support it. This was reported by Világgazdaság, according to UNN.
Details
According to the new rules, a deputy's base salary will be calculated using a coefficient of 1.8 of the national average salary instead of the previous coefficient of 3.
As a result, the base monthly salary of a parliamentarian will decrease from 2.18 million forints gross (about $7,100) to 1.31 million forints (about $4,300). Thus, the reduction will amount to about 40%, or 873,000 forints (approximately $2,800) per month. Over a year, a single deputy will receive over 10.4 million forints (about $33,800) less.
Due to the linking of allowances to the base rate, the incomes of the parliamentary leadership will decrease even more significantly. The Speaker's salary will be reduced from 5.89 million forints (about $19,100) to 3.81 million forints (about $12,400), a 35% decrease.
Vice-speakers and certain heads of parliamentary factions will receive 3.14–3.47 million forints (about $10,200–$11,300) instead of 4.36 million forints (about $14,200). Depending on the position, their incomes will decrease by 20–28%.
The salary of Prime Minister Péter Magyar after the law comes into force will be approximately 3.8 million forints gross (about $12,400) per month. This is 4–5 million forints ($13,000–$16,200) less than the current level. According to some estimates, the previous head of the Hungarian government, Viktor Orbán, received over 8 million forints (about $26,000), so the reduction could reach 51–57%.
According to the authors of the reform, ministers' incomes will also decrease – by approximately 1.5–2 million forints ($4,900–$6,500) per month compared to the previous level.
In addition to salaries, the law limits parliamentary expenses. Housing limits will be cut by 31%, office rent by 52%, and assistant labor costs by 30%. Separate compensation for mobile communications and fuel costs for deputies elected from Budapest will also be abolished.
The government also plans to review the level of remuneration for city mayors.