Tassos rejects MP pay hike bill

President Tassos Papadopoulos has decided to return to parliament three bills which granted generous pay and benefit increases for ministers and deputies, as well as himself.

Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides confirmed that the President decided to send the bills back on the advice of Attorney General Petros Clerides, who ruled that based on the constitution, MPs may only vote pay increases for themselves but which will become valid for the next term of the House.

During their last session before the summer recess, deputies voted themselves huge pay increases, which sparked outrage among the public as it came in the middle of a government austerity drive aimed at cutting the public deficit.

The bill was rushed through Parliament in utter secrecy: the Finance Committee discussed it behind closed doors and it was voted on without debate, all in one day.

The wage and benefits hike includes a pay rise for President Papadopoulos, from CYP 47,500 to CYP 51,500, plus an additional 40% rise in his expense allowance.

House President Demetris Christofias benefited from a pay rise of nearly CYP 6,000, while MPs and Ministers saw their expense allowance rise by 30% to CYP 12,000 per year, plus a standard CYP 400 per month or another CYP 5,000 each per year for travel expenses. They also benefited from a 100% increase in their monthly allowance for secretarial services from CYP 300 to CYP 600 or an extra CYP 3,600 per year.

Parliament now has 15 days to decide whether it accepts or rejects the referral. But due to the summer holidays the House would have to convene in an emergency meeting; if not, the law would be annulled and resubmitted in October.