How greedy are Czech politicians?
The issue of top politicians’ salaries often stirs public emotions, especially in times of economic uncertainty. In Czechia, a proposed 6.9% salary increase for Members of Parliament (MPs) has ignited a fiery debate. Opposition parties argue for a salary freeze, citing economic concerns and public discontent. According to Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of Europeum think tank, such debates are not unique to Czechia and are quite common across Europe.
“It’s a very sensitive topic to discuss politicians' wages when ordinary people are struggling to make ends meet,” Daněk explained. “In some countries, this issue has led to extreme situations, like in Poland, where ministerial salaries are so low they are no longer comparable to private-sector wages.”
Czech MPs vs. EU counterparts
Daněk pointed out that Czech MPs are among the best-paid legislators in the EU’s eastern flank when measured in absolute terms. However, they earn considerably less than their counterparts in wealthier western nations such as Germany or Austria. “When we look at salaries relative to average income, the disparity becomes less significant,” he said, emphasizing that such comparisons often highlight the complexities of differing national economic conditions and political cultures.
Interestingly, Daněk agrees that Italy is a bit of an outlier. Italian MPs rank among the highest-paid in Europe, despite the country’s relatively modest GDP. “It says something about their political culture,” he observed, noting that Italy, alongside Austria and Germany, is at the top of the EU salary spectrum for parliamentarians.
Election-year symbolism and populism
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The debate over Czech MPs’ salaries comes at a politically sensitive time. Daněk highlighted that in 2021, during a previous economic downturn, the government led than by the now main opposition ANO Party froze automatic salary raises as a symbolic gesture before elections. This freeze created long-term challenges. “I think it was a sophisticated time bomb for the next government,” he remarked. The law required the present government to open the issue of the politicians' salaries and raise them more significantly after the temporary freeze. “Now, this unpopular problem has resurfaced during another election year, making the current debate even more heated and populistic.”
The cost of politics at the European level
Turning to the European Parliament, Daněk acknowledged that MEPs are generally better paid than most national MPs. However, he noted exceptions, such as German and Austrian legislators, who sometimes earn more. The high salaries of MEPs are further amplified by the controversial practice of moving monthly between Brussels and Strasbourg, which Daněk described as “hard to defend” due to its costliness.
Despite repeated efforts by MEPs to end this practice, entrenched treaty obligations requiring unanimity among EU member states make such changes unlikely. “It’s difficult to imagine France giving up its seat in Strasbourg,” Daněk commented. “This issue has become a ritual for MEPs—they raise it every legislative cycle to show voters they care, but nothing will actually change.”
Balancing perceptions and realities
So, the debate over MPs’ and MEPs’ salaries is a microcosm of larger political and cultural dynamics across Europe. While Czechia’s current controversy may feel heated, it reflects logical political tensions before the upcoming elections and is, in the EU context, frankly by no means exceptional.
