The Romanian president, government members, MPs, and even the Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church get higher wages beginning this month, following the increase of the minimum salary starting January 1.

The minimum gross wage increased in Romania from RON 1,900 to RON 2,080 as of January 1. This also means higher monthly salaries for the Romanian officials, of up to 10%, as their wages are connected to the minimum salary in the economy. Thus, the president, prime minister and the heads of the Parliament will get over EUR 5,000 per month, according to local Stirileprotv.ro.

The MPs are among those who will receive higher gross salaries beginning this month, of almost RON 19,000 (some EUR 4,000). Meanwhile, the Senate speaker and the Chamber of Deputies president, as well as the prime minister and the Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church will get monthly wages of almost RON 24,000 (over EUR 5,100).

The Ombudsman will receive a salary of almost RON 22,000 (EUR 4,700) per month, the same as a minister. This means an increase of some RON 2,000 compared to December.

The president will remain the highest-paid Romanian official, with a monthly wage of almost RON 25,000 (some EUR 5,300), up from RON 22,800 in December.

The MPs’ special pensions also go up following the minimum salary increase, according to Stirileprotv.ro, to some RON 5,000 (over EUR 1,000) per month. This means that the Parliament's budget has increased for 2019, even though the state budget has not yet been adopted.

Irina Marica, irina.marica@romania-insider.com

(photo source: Pixabay.com)