The news in Czech
Český parlament schválil zvýšení platů politiků o sedm procent, i když byla silná opozice. Strany ANO a SPD byly proti, ale zákon prošel díky hlasům ODS, STAN, KDU-ČSL a TOP 09. Nový zákon také obsahuje omezení zvyšování platů na pět procent ročně. Návrh nyní čeká na projednání v Senátu.
Translation
The Czech parliament has approved a seven percent pay rise for politicians, despite strong opposition. The ANO and SPD parties were against the increase, but the bill passed with the support of the ODS, STAN, KDU-ČSL, and TOP 09 parties. The new law also includes a restriction on salary increases to five percent per year. The proposal now awaits consideration in the Senate.
Exercise: Text comprehension
Question 1: Which political parties were against the pay raise law for politicians?
The political parties ANO and SPD were against the pay raise law.
Question 2: What is the next step for the proposed pay raise law after being passed by the Czech Parliament?
The proposed pay raise law now awaits discussion in the Senate.
Exercise: Vocabulary
schválit - approve
zvýšení (n.) - increase
silný - strong
obsahovat - contain
omezení (n.) - restriction
projednání (n.) - deliberation
Read the full story
▌18/01/2025
The Czech Parliament has approved a contentious proposal to increase salaries for top politicians by nearly seven percent this year, despite significant opposition. The decision comes after a series of intense debates revolving around fiscal policies and public sentiments on state finances.
The opposing factions, including the political movements ANO and SPD, were vocal against the approved pay rise, arguing for a freeze on political salaries until 2029. Ultimately, their proposal did not gather enough support, receiving 58 dissenting votes out of 127 present members. The majority vote came from governing parties such as the ODS, STAN, KDU-ČSL, and TOP 09, allowing the bill to pass through the lower chamber.
Proponents of the pay increase argue that it reflects the rising average wages in the country. Minister Marian Jurečka of the KDU-ČSL defended the decision, stating, "An appropriate remuneration is justified as the average national wage grows." He also introduced a new clause limiting future salary increases for politicians to a maximum of five percent annually, aiming to address concerns over unchecked pay hikes.
Czech Parliament Passes Politicians' Pay Raise Amid Controversy (Illustration)
Conversely, senior member Karel Havlíček from ANO criticized the ruling coalition's actions, calling the timing "insensitive" given the current economic challenges. He emphasized that during a period of tightened public spending, rapid salary enhancements present an "immoral" image.
Amidst these debates, unrelated amendments were also passed. One such proposal ensures politicians’ pay is proportionally reduced if the national debt surpasses certain thresholds. Miloš Nový from TOP 09 introduced another amendment concerning simultaneous office holding, aiming for a more transparent political remuneration system.
As the bill moves forward to the Senate for further consideration, the ramifications of this decision—both politically and socially—could influence voters' sentiments in the upcoming elections. Critics argue that the public may perceive this as another instance of political disconnect, burdening future discussions on governance and trust.
Info: "Czech Learner News" is a service from "Let's Learn Czech," a language school offering various types of online Czech courses. If you're new to the language, our Czech for beginners programme provides a solid foundation to start your learning journey.
