Politicians’ salaries: Enough “can’t refuse” increase. Livre will donate it for scholarship

The increase in politicians’ salaries with the replacement of 5% of the remuneration of public office holders continues to create something to talk about after Chega refused to receive it. But in reality, no party can refuse the increase.

The PSD and CDS proposal to replacement of 5% of remuneration of public office holders voted in favor of social democrats and centrists, and also of PS and PAN.

They voted against Chega, the Liberal Initiative (IL), the Bloco de Esquerda and Livre while the PCP abstained.

O salary cut dates back to 2010even before the “Troika” arrived, but when there were already signs of crisis during the Government of José Sócrates. It was imposed with the objectives of reducing the excessive deficit and controlling the growth of public debt.

After 14 years, politicians see their salaries increased with effects from January 2025.

The measure covers the President of the Republic, the President of the Assembly of the Republic, the Prime Minister and other members of the Government, deputies, representatives of the Republic in the Azores and Madeira and members of regional Governments, deputies of the Assemblies of the autonomous regions , the civil governor and deputy governor, as well as the president and full-time councilors of the Municipal Chambers.

Public managers also benefit, notably members of the Board of Directors or administration of Public Institutes.

The overall replacement cost will be in the order of 20 million eurosaccording to Government data.

Chega does not accept a raise with “people in poverty”

Os deputies will earn R$4,096.99 gross per month. Until now, they received R$3,892.14 – therefore, it is an increase of the order of 200 euros.

A deputy on an exclusive basis wins but 409.70 euros per month in representation expenses. Each of the four vice-presidents of the Board of Directors receives 1,024.25 euros in representation expenses monthly.

Deputies are also entitled to other subsidies, such as housing, food and travel.

leader of Chega, announced that the party will give up the salary increase. “It’s my decision, made for all Chega elected officials, whether national, local, regional or European. It is my order and indication“, he pointed out.

“We do not accept being increased when people live in poverty“, he concluded.

Chega’s “Vice” gives up car and driver?

During the debate in Parliament, IL was very critical of , particularly after this party put up opposition to salary replacement on the facade of the Assembly of the Republic (AR).

The president of IL, Rui Rocha, questioned whether Chega’s deputies will also give up the remaining benefits to which they are entitled.

“I have a challenge for André Ventura: What [vice-presidente da AR]who has been incompetent when called upon to manage the work, do without the car and the driver that the AR grants him for being vice-president”, highlighted Rocha.

By way of comparison, Rocha added that “the vice-president appointed by IL waived” these privileges that were also attributed to him.

Deputies cannot refuse the increase

In truth, no deputy can give up an increase determined by law. But everyone has the freedom to do what they want with the money they receive.

This is exactly what lawyer and specialist in Criminal Law Ana Rita Campos explains, highlighting that the salary increase “cannot be returned to the Statebecause it is something that is recognized and given to them”.

But “they can give all the money they earn to charity“, adds the lawyer.

The law is “general and abstract” and “even if they refuse, I doubt it can be exclude a specific group of deputies transfer of the money”, points out, in turn, the Criminal Law, Sanctions and Compliance lawyer João Luz Soares, also speaking to CNN Portugal.

João Luz Soares adds that deputies can “do with the equivalent of 5% whatever they wantnamely donating it to some charitable institutions – they can even give a permanent transfer order from the accounts where the salary falls, so that this value is transferred automatically“.

Livre will donate increase for scholarship

If Chega simply notes that he will give up the increase without pointing out how he will do it, the Book has already announced that it will allocate the amounts to finance a scholarship.

“The Free Parliamentary Group you will not receive these increases“, the spokesperson for Rui Tavares told journalists. “This money will be saved separately to grant a scholarship”, he said, highlighting that “the terms of granting this scholarship will be announced soon“.

“Instead of going to the fair and putting the quilts in the windowwe challenge the groups that want to make a big deal about this issue, to basically follow the example of Livre”, said Tavares in a veiled reference to Chega.