Law change will not impact ex-presidents’ perks, MPs told
Perks that former presidents receive – including a limousine and a €3,000 monthly secretary stipend – will be for life and cannot be scrapped even if the law changes, the House ethics committee heard on Wednesday.
MPs began discussing three proposals aimed at amending the law which concerns benefits former presidents receive.
A representative of the legal service however made it clear that any changes will not be retroactive and therefore will only affect future presidents.
“We cannot bar any benefits that have already been paid for years.”
MPs heard the cost of secretaries amounted to €1.5 million, while vehicle costs were at €321,000.
Fuel and maintenance costs were estimated to be around €156,000 per annum though different former presidents had different expense values.
House chairman and Disy MP Demetris Demetriou said where there are abuses, they should be corrected and where certain perks may be exaggerated, they should be changed.
He cited a service vehicle as an example of one such perk, but security issues should be assessed with particular sensitivity.
“The positive news of the day is that since April 2024, the treasury asks for proof for the secretary stipend for former presidents.”
The three different bills were submitted by Disy MP Annita Demetriou, MP Alexandra Attalidou and MP Stavros Papadouris.
Attalidou said her proposal limits the secretary stipend for up to five years and a revision of the approximately €3,000 monthly sum.
“This is way too high for secretarial support,” she said.
Auditor-general Andreas Papaconstantinou was asked to carry out an investigation over the cost of these benefits.
Attalidou added that five years would suffice for a service vehicle with all expenses covered, but all former state officials after that should be able to cover their own costs for their transportation.
MPs also heard that according to the audit office, one former president (understood to be Nicos Anastasiades) has 13 members in his security detail, in contrast to another George Vassiliou who has one.