Bulgarian MPs freeze their own salaries

Lawmakers in Bulgaria have voted to freeze their own salaries, a move described by the ruling party as a populist gesture. The parliamentary legal committee approved a draft decision from "We Continue the Change" (PP) to amend the assembly's rules, effectively capping parliamentary salaries at 4236 euros per month.

The decision was made swiftly, taking less than 10 minutes in the committee session. This legislative action aims to address public discontent over the remuneration of elected officials, particularly in a context where economic challenges may be affecting citizens.

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For less than 10 minutes, the parliamentary legal committee adopted the draft decision of 'We Continue the Change' to amend the rules, freezing parliamentary salaries at 4236 euros.

However, the amendment is reported to contain a loophole that could permit future increases to parliamentary salaries. This detail suggests that the salary freeze might be temporary or subject to circumvention, potentially undermining the populist intent of the measure.

The ruling party's acknowledgment of the move as "populist" indicates an awareness of the political optics involved. The effectiveness and long-term impact of this salary freeze on public perception and the actual finances of parliamentarians remain to be seen, especially given the potential for future adjustments.

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The change, which leaves a loophole for increases anyway...