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Hungarian Parliament unanimously approved a reduction in the salaries and benefits of deputies in a measure advocated by Prime Minister Péter Magyar.
A rare political decision has placed Hungary in the spotlight in Europe.
On Monday, June 8, Hungarian parliamentarians unanimously approved a cut in their own salaries and benefits.
The proposal was presented by the ruling party Tisza, led by the new Prime Minister Péter Magyar.
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The government claims that the measure aims to reduce administrative costs, decrease privileges, and signal a new stance in response to criticism of corruption.
According to Magyar, the reduction should also help replenish public coffers, which have allegedly been depleted by years of supposed irregular practices.
Salary cut reduces deputies’ earnings by 40%
The vote received full support from the 189 deputies present in the session.
The Hungarian Parliament has 199 seats.
With the new legislation, the monthly base salary of parliamentarians will be reduced by 40% starting next month.
The amount will drop to about 1.3 million Hungarian forints, approximately R$ 22,000 gross.
Even after the reduction, the salary will remain almost twice the national average.
During the government of Viktor Orbán, deputies’ earnings were almost three times the country’s average salary.
Parliamentarians with extra functions, such as participation in committees, may still receive higher amounts.
Benefits also included in the cut
The change does not only affect the deputies.
The Prime Minister, the President of the Parliament, and members of parliamentary committees will also have their salaries reduced.
The reimbursement of cell phone bills will be completely eliminated.
Allowances for office rent, housing, and hiring staff will also be cut.
According to Magyar, the accumulated savings over the four-year term will be equivalent to an entire year of the Parliament’s operational costs.
Péter Magyar accuses previous government of inflating salaries
Péter Magyar accused his predecessor Viktor Orbán of having raised salaries to appease opposition deputies.
In the new prime minister’s assessment, the reduction represents an attempt to demonstrate self-restraint in politics.
In an interview with the private broadcaster RTL, Magyar stated that the measure involves “humanity, self-restraint, and humility.”
On the same occasion, he suggested that mayors’ salaries should also be reduced.
The proposal, however, met resistance among some local leaders.
Ex-ally of Orbán became a critic of the former government
Magyar has a conservative and pro-European Union profile.
Until 2024, he was part of Fidesz, Viktor Orbán’s ruling party.
The break occurred after a scandal involving suspicion of covering up sexual abuse in a children’s shelter.
After that, Magyar denounced systemic corruption in the government.
He also criticized the dominance of a small political-economic elite over important decisions in the country.
The interview went viral and boosted his national profile.
In the following weeks, Magyar intensified his criticism of the Orbán government and began the mobilization that would lead to the creation of the Tisza party.
Corruption allegedly caused billion-dollar losses
The cost of corruption also entered the center of the Hungarian political debate.
According to an estimate by Ferenc Bíró, head of the country’s anti-corruption body, systemic corruption would have cost Hungary at least 186 billion euros.
The calculation considers the 16 years of Viktor Orbán’s government.
The statement was given to the investigative journalism group De Akciokozosseg.
The anti-corruption body was created in 2022 as part of reforms adopted to try to release resources from the European Union.
These resources were blocked due to concerns about the rule of law.
Investigation against anti-corruption chief increases political tension
In January 2025, investigators conducted a search operation at the headquarters of the anti-corruption agency.
On that occasion, corruption charges were brought against Ferenc Bíró.
In a video interview published on Sunday, Bíró stated that the then Minister of Justice instructed him not to perform his duties.
According to him, the current criminal process is happening because there was a refusal to obey the order.
Measure turns political privileges into national debate
The salary cut approved in Hungary broadens the discussion about privileges, public spending, and trust in institutions.
The decision also reinforces Péter Magyar’s strategy of focusing his agenda on sensitive topics for the population.
Among them are inflation, low wages, healthcare precariousness, and combating corruption.
The government now tries to use the reduction of its own benefits as a political symbol.
The measure will still be observed for its practical effects on public finances and on the relationship between the government, Parliament, and society.
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