Czech Parliament moves to freeze politician salaries and reform pensions

The Czech Chamber of Deputies has passed a government proposal in its first reading to freeze the salaries of top politicians, including the President, members of the government, and lawmakers, for the next five years. The measure aims to align political compensation with the country’s economic reality. While supporters argue it promotes fiscal responsibility, opposition members have criticized the move as a populist gesture and have proposed alternatives, such as reducing parliamentary allowances.

In a separate legislative development, the Chamber also supported a government amendment regarding pension increases. The proposal includes a one-time 2,000 CZK contribution for seniors and introduces age-based increases for those aged 80 and older. The amendment seeks to reward long-term pensioners and encourage employment among working seniors, though opposition parties have questioned the systemic effectiveness of these measures compared to investing in social and healthcare services.