Romania’s Government decided on Wednesday to increase the salaries of several high officials, including the President and Prime Minister, according to acting PM Gabriel Oprea.

The Government meeting on Wednesday, July 8, was the last one led by Oprea as interim PM, as Victor Ponta announced he would resume his activity on July 9, after a one-month medical leave.

The Government decided via Emergency Ordinance that 48 high officials will get higher salaries starting August. Besides the President and Prime Minister, the list includes the presidents of the Parliament’s chambers, the president of the High Court of Cassation and Justice, the directors of the intelligence services, and others. Oprea didn’t specify how much the salaries will be increased.

“I fully assume the rightness and opportuneness of this measure. We can’t pretend that it’s normal to have a European state president make some EUR 1,500 per month,” said Oprea at the end of the Government meeting.

He added that the Government will update all the salaries in the public sector by the end of the year. A new law for public salaries will enter into force by December, according to Labor Minister Rovana Plumb.

Gabriel Oprea said that higher salaries will attract more well-trained professionals in the public sector and thus increase public service quality and reduce corruption.

Romania's President Klaus Iohannis said that the salary increase for state officials was a wise intention and that dignitaries' salaries should reflect their positions.

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editor@romania-insider.com