Prime Minister Péter Magyar has announced huge cuts to the salaries of Hungary’s political elite, revealing that his own monthly pay will be reduced to gross HUF 3.8 million — less than half of former prime minister Viktor Orbán’s last reported salary.
Speaking in an interview with RTL on Saturday evening, Magyar said the salaries of ministers, MPs, mayors and senior executives at state-owned companies would all be significantly reduced under the new government’s plans.
According to the prime minister, his own salary package will consist of a gross HUF 2.3 million prime ministerial salary plus the standard MP base salary of HUF 1.5 million, bringing his total monthly gross income to HUF 3.8 million (EUR 10,600).
By comparison, Orbán’s most recent reported gross monthly salary stood at HUF 7.8 million (EUR 22,000).
Parliamentary expense allowances also under fire
Magyar also promised to cut parliamentary expense allowances, which he said had allowed MPs to claim up to HUF 7 million per month for fuel, accommodation and staff-related costs.
Under the planned changes, the monthly ceiling would fall below HUF 5 million, which he asked not to take full advantage of.
The prime minister argued that the previous system enabled large amounts of public money to flow indirectly into party structures linked to Fidesz.
“Only lower salaries will be possible for ministers and state secretaries,” Magyar said, stressing that political leaders should demonstrate restraint and humility during a difficult economic period.
State company executives and officials also targeted
The planned cuts would not stop at government ministers and MPs.
Magyar confirmed that executives of state-owned companies, as well as members of supervisory and advisory boards, would also face salary reductions.
He claimed the measures could save around HUF 50 billion (EUR 139 million) within parliament alone.
The government also plans to tighten rules surrounding diplomatic passports and the use of blue emergency lights on official vehicles. According to Magyar, only the prime minister and the Interior Ministry would retain the right to use blue lights, and only in strictly necessary cases.
“We must set an example,” says PM
Magyar said the reforms were intended not only to reduce spending but also to send a political message.
“It matters what kind of example we show to Hungarian people and to the outside world,” he said during the interview.
The prime minister added that politicians and government officials should regard themselves as public servants rather than privileged elites.
Read our summary about the interview, where you can find information on school support and EU cash push: PM Magyar in first ministerial interview talks about school support payments, welfare, MP salaries, economic growth
Hat’s off to the man. He must be the only politician in history to have reduced his own salary upon entering office. 22,000 Euros per month for Orban was absurd, it’s 20% higher than the salary of the UK Prime Minister.
I agree with you, Dear Steve – hat’s off to the prime minister!
It is absolutely the right thing to do – yet, more importantly, would be for him to refuse dark money that, if it has not already been making it’s way to him, will be tomorrow.
He has set a saintly Chryst-like standard of service for himself, and, I, for one, and praying that he achieves it.
When a man, in a position of leadership, with a huge public profile, rises above the sinful weak and corrupt nature that exists in his mind, and, most assuredly in his private life, we must applaud and support that – irrespective of whether we supported his candidacy or not.
Agreed
To be fair to Viktor the level of his grift and theft and general criminality was not a 9-5 job..
He was hard at it 24/7….
not to mention the monthly Fellatio sessions on trump and Putin …
And his knees were not getting any younger
What rubbish. Do you get paid to post such lies? I hope you do because the level of stupidity that you represent is alarming.
What is it they say? “Don’t just talk the talk. Walk the walk.” Thanks, Mr. Prime Minister. I might even pay some of my VAT with a smile rather than a scowl.