Hungary MPs back plan to cut their own salaries by 40 per cent

Hungarian lawmakers unanimously voted to slash their incomes and allowances on Monday, as Prime Minister Peter Magyar sought to reduce administrative costs.

Critics had previously accused Magyar’s predecessor, nationalist premier Viktor Orban, of providing high salaries in an attempt to placate opposition deputies.

Magyar, whose party filled with political newcomers won the April 12 elections by a landslide, was among those highly critical of the practice.

All 189 representatives present in the 199-member legislature voted for the bill, submitted by the ruling Tisza party.

Under the legislation, deputies’ monthly base salaries are set to decrease by 40 per cent to the equivalent of 3,690 euros (US$4,260) before taxes, starting next month.

Base salaries will still be almost double the average national wage, but down from about three times under Orban.