An old story of retired lawmakers asking for retroactive increases in pension has been revived recently. A total amount of about 800 former members of Greek parliament asks for increases of €250,000 each or about €200m totally.
According to a resolution of the House in 1975, the remuneration of Members equates to the salaries of the presidents of the Supreme Courts. Since the increase of judges’ payments in the period 2003-2007, the former lawmakers ask for the corresponding increase of their payments.
This principle hadn’t been applied in recent years, in an effort to avoid provoking of public sentiment. Despite the two revisions of the Greek Constitution over the last decade, no one raised the issue of 1975 resolution, leading to claims by retired Members, who have no longer any fear of “political cost”, as active lawmakers don’t dare to apply for increases.
Note that Members of Parliament are entitled to receive pensions from both the House and the fund of their occupation. The right of pension is provided after serving two terms in the House (regardless of the length of each). The amount is equivalent to 80% of the parliamentary allowance, which is around €5,000 per month.
(source: capital)
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