By Martin Banks - 9th July 2009
We do not know where they have got these figures from and it is incorrect to say the president is in line for a 'massive' pay rise. The allegations are utterly unfounded
parliament spokeswoman
Parliamentary bosses have angrily hit out at a UK tabloid's claims that the next president is in line for a "massive" pay increase.
According to the News of the World newspaper, the president is set to gain an extra €130,000 per year to rent a home plus €49,000 for entertaining on top of the current €41,000 living allowance.
The planned €180,000 pay rise is detailed, said the paper, in "secret EU documents" and is designed to give the president "more dignity."
The pay rise, it says, would make his total yearly income about €247,000 and put the president in the same pay bracket as the president of the commission.
Former Polish PM Jerzy Buzek is next week expected to be approved as parliament's next president, taking over from German deputy Hans-Gert Pöttering.
However, a parliament spokeswoman said there was "no truth whatsoever" in the story.
She told this website, "We do not know where they have got these figures from and it is incorrect to say the president is in line for a 'massive' pay rise. The allegations are utterly unfounded.
"There was, some time back, a possible proposal tabled which may have led to changes in the president's financial arrangements but this is not going ahead now."
She added, "It is possible legal action could have been taken in relation to this story but we have looked at this in the past and I am afraid it is not a viable option."
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