MPs move to reduce debated pension hike

ISTANBUL - Anatolia News Agency

Lawmakers’ pensions will increase from 4,980 to around 6,200 Turkish Liras if the agreed amendment is now approved in Parliament. Hürriyet photo

A parliamentary commission has heeded presidential objections and amended a provision on lawmakers’ pensions, fixing them to 45 percent of the president’s salary, down from 60 percent.

Lawmakers’ pensions will increase from 4,980 to around 6,200 Turkish Liras if the amendment, agreed on Friday at Parliament’s Planning and Budget Commission, is approved in Parliament. An earlier provision vetoed by President Abdullah Gül would have raised pensions to roughly 8,000 liras.

During the debate in the commission, the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) argued for a 42 percent rate, but the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) deputies proposed a 45 percent rate, which was eventually passed despite objections. The bill is expected to easily pass the Parliament, where the AKP has a comfortable majority.

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The original bill had prompted protests from both the opposition and the public opinion. CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, whose party decried the hike, sent a letter to Gül urging him to send the legislation back to Parliament. Gül partially vetoed the controversial provision, which is part of a bill amending the Pension Fund Law, on the grounds that the hike damaged public sensitivities.