Former presidents’ incomes to increase sharply

Former presidents of Slovakia will receive lifelong monthly remuneration equal to an MPs' monthly salary as of the next general election set for 2016, according to a bill that was backed in Parliament on Wednesday by MPs from both the governing Smer-SD and Opposition. At the moment, the presidential stipend barely reaches €1,000, while MPs' salaries reach around €3,500 per month, and the current president receives more than €9,000 per month. Independent MP Juraj Droba, a former aide to Slovakia's first president Michal Kováč, noted that such payments to former presidents in neighbouring countries are significantly higher than in Slovakia at the moment. He added that Kováč is currently struggling financially due to high expenses related to his poor health.