Samaras cuts salaries of ministers and lease costs

More than 400,000 euros will be saved from cuts in salaries of the prime minister and cabinet members, included among others in the new bill introduced in parliament, while the reductions in leases paid to house public services are estimated to save more than 15 million euros.

According to the bill, starting on 1/9/2012 it provides for the elimination of the payment of monthly representation expenses of the prime minister (1,872 euros), the parliament president, the leader of the opposition (1,404 euros) and of government ministers and deputy ministers (936 euros for those of a parliamentary capacity and 579 euros for non-parliamentarians). These cuts will save 415,600 euros per year (138,500 for 2012). Articles 10-13 eliminate three positions of special secretaries, saving 600,000 euros per year.

Regarding lease reductions, from 1.10.2012 the bill provides a 10% reduction in monthly leases of up to 1,000 euros and up to 25% for leases exceeding 3,000 euros. According to the General Accounting Office report, it is "estimated that the annual savings from reduced leases paid by the government and other public sector bodies to lease buildings that house their services will exceed 15 million euros."