Privileges remain

The law makes it possible: a windfall for ex-politicians

Members of the National Council who have been voted out of office also benefit from continued payment of their salary - including all special payments.

(Bild: APA/Roland Schlager, thinkstockphotos.de, krone.at-Grafik)

Everyone should tighten their belts in view of the precarious financial situation in Austria. Really everyone? Because politicians' privileges are not being shaken - special laws make it possible for politicians who have been voted out of office to continue to receive a large part of their salary without a cap!

Regardless of whether they have resigned or been voted out of office by the public, politicians need not worry, at least financially, for the time being. There is currently a stir in the National Council about the fact that nine members of parliament who no longer have a seat as a result of the election result are insisting on the continued payment of their salary for three months. In Carinthia, the privileges are even greater!