Hungary’s Minister for Economy and Energy, István Kapitány, has announced that he will donate his entire ministerial salary, becoming the first member of the new government to make such a personal commitment following the parliamentary vote on political pay cuts. The minister said he wanted to set an example of restraint and public service at a time when many Hungarian families continue to face economic challenges.
The announcement comes on the same day that Parliament approved a significant reduction in the salaries of government members, part of a broader package aimed at cutting political spending. The measures affect ministers, MPs, and other senior officeholders, fulfilling a key pledge of the new administration to reduce the cost of politics, as per 24.hu.
According to the legislation, political salaries are being reduced by roughly 40 percent, with the basic parliamentary salary multiplier falling from 3.0 to 1.8. The reform also lowers the remuneration of ministers and other top officials, reversing years of automatic increases linked to average wage growth.
Hungarian foundation gets István Kapitány’s salary
Yesterday, the Hungarian Parliament approved a substantial pay cut affecting the Prime Minister, members of the Cabinet, MPs, and senior parliamentary officials.
As a result, Kapitány’s salary has been reduced from nearly HUF 4 million to approximately HUF 3 million per month — a decrease of more than 20 per cent.
Even so, a monthly income of HUF 3 million remains considerable, and the sum will be donated in full to a Hungarian foundation dedicated to rescuing premature and newborn babies.
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Fidesz politicians must think he is absolutely crazy to give away his money. It’s something kleptocrats can’t comprehend.
None ever did the job for the salary alone (although they weren’t shy of ratcheting up their parliamentary salaries when the opportunity arose). The inducement was only ever about creating an opportunity to enrich themselves and their family via as many side hustles as they could manage. I don’t doubt there were Fidesz politicians that decided not to get involved but the opportunity was open to all and supported at the highest level. It was seen as a legitimate perk of the job.
Fact is, Mr Kapitany has already earned more money from the private sector than he can spend in a lifetime and his ministerial salary is the sort of spare change he loses down the back of the sofa. That does NOT change the fact that donating it in its entirety deserves a big round of applause. Respect.
PS – I hope the chosen beneficiary charity is entitled to receive the gross amount with no deductions.
Exactly, They would never understand why he is not stealing all the funds as they used to do.