Among the many laws passed and measures approved just before the end of the Norwegian Parliament’s session this year was one that often grabs attention: How much money full-time top politicians earn at taxpayer expense. They’ll all be getting another raise, as will the prime minister and members of his government.
A majority overruled objections from the Socialist Left party (SV), the Greens Party and the far-left Reds. Members of Parliament will now earn NOK 1,272,209 (around USD 134,000) a year, retroactive to May 1st. That means they’ll all get extra large paychecks just before the summer holidays begin.
The prime minister’s annual salary was also raised, to NOK 2,234,978 a year, while other government ministers will receive NOK 1,815,703. While that’s all well above average annual wages in Norway, top politicians do tend to work long hours and often find it difficult to take time off.
Their pay hikes are also in line with those emerging from Norway’s widespread labour negotiations this spring, amounting to 4.7 percent. That’s above the current inflation rate of around 3.6 percent, and meets goals of a real rise in household income.
NewsinEnglish.no staff
