Parliament reduces dignitaries' pensions

The pensions of the head of state, lawmakers and members of the Government will constitute 42% of their incomes, not 75% as until present. A bill with relevant legislative amendments was passed by the MPs in first reading on May 21, Info-Prim Neo reports. The bill provides for the adjustment of the norms concerning the provision of pensions to these groups of people to the general pension norms. The retirement age for these groups was also modified – 57 for women and 62 for men, as against 55 and 50 until now. Minister of Labor, Social Protection and Family Valentina Buliga said the evening up of the retirement conditions and age is envisioned in the National Development Strategy and the pension system reformation conception. A part of the MPs expressed their skepticism about the measure, saying the reformation of the pension system implies huge work. Unaffiliated lawmaker Victor Stepaniuc said the matter will become more complicated when they discuss the pensions of the prosecutors and judges. The bill will be adopted in second reading after the parliamentary groups propose modifications. “This is indeed a sensitive issue, but the dignitaries must understand that their pensions differ from those of most of the people,” said Marian Lupu, the leader of the Democratic Party, which submitted the initiative to modify dignitaries' pensions.