President blocks pay rises for MPs

PRESIDENT Tassos Papadopoulos has decided to send back to Parliament three laws, which granted generous pay and benefit increases for ministers and deputies.

The move had been expected after it transpired that the laws could be unconstitutional.
Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides confirmed that the President decided to send the laws back following a ruling from Attorney-general Petros Clerides.

“The President thought that all three laws should be sent back to parliament,” Chrysostomides said.

Deputies a couple of weeks ago attempted to sneak the laws through the back door but in their haste they apparently shot themselves on the foot, as it proved to be unconstitutional.

The problem lies with the fact that the law was retroactive, something prohibited by Article 84 of the constitution: “Any increase of such remuneration shall not become operative during the term of office of the House of Representatives in which such increase has been made.”

The law 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 outmost 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 Tassos Papadopoulos, from £47,500 to £51,500, plus an additional 40 per cent rise in his expenses.

House Speaker Demetris Christofias benefited from a pay rise of nearly £6,000.
Deputies and Ministers saw their expense allowance rise by 30 per cent to £12,000 per year, plus a standard £400 per month or another £5,000 each per year for travel expenses. They also benefited from a 100 per cent increase in their monthly allowance for secretarial services from £300 to £600, an extra £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 re-submitted in October.

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