Lower house approves salary hike for top politicians and judges

The Chamber of Deputies on Friday approved a controversial amendment to the law that will increase the salaries of top politicians and judges by 6.9 percent this year. In the future, they are to increase by no more than 5 percent year-on-year. The draft bill will now go to the Senate for approval.

The hike was vehemently opposed by ANO and the Freedom and Direct Democracy Party who had proposed a five-year freeze on politicians’ salaries in view of implemented austerity measures, tax hikes and growing public discontent. The bill will determine the salaries of some 5,000 officials.