In the next election period, outgoing mayors and regional council chairmen will no longer be able to receive double pay for a period.
New rules for severance pay will come into effect, as announced by the Ministry of the Interior and Health in a press release.
Going forward, mayors and regional council chairmen will have their severance pay deducted if they leave to start a new job outside of politics. This rule already applies to members of parliament and ministers.
- Mayors and regional council chairmen hold important positions, and therefore they should also have fair conditions when they step down. It is crucial for our local democracy," said Minister of the Interior and Health Sophie Løhde (V) in the statement.
- But it should be a safety net – not a "double pay" – and that’s why we are changing the rules now.
Rule change has been a long time coming
The Social Democrats and Venstre proposed changing the rules for mayors’ double pay three years ago.
- I understand if people are puzzled by it, and mayors do receive a relatively high salary. But the rules are for severance pay,"
In April of this year, he decided to step down as mayor in the middle of the term – and a few weeks later, he started a new job as a principal at a conference property in West Jutland.
From the town hall in Fredericia, he received approximately 575,000 kroner in severance pay, and with his new job salary, he is currently receiving double pay.
Politicians’ severance pay depends on how long a politician has been in office. It is an amount that the politician receives when they leave.
After eight years as a mayor, a mayor can receive the maximum severance pay of 12 months’ salary.
Typically, an outgoing mayor receives between 500,000 kroner and just over a million kroner in the first six to twelve months after stepping down.
Under the new rules, outgoing mayors and regional council chairmen will still be entitled to a severance pay amount without deduction of 157,564 kroner. The same right applies to members of parliament.
Analysis:
This article highlights the changes in severance pay rules for outgoing mayors and regional council chairmen, emphasizing the need for fair conditions when they step down from their positions. The new rules aim to prevent double pay for politicians who leave to pursue jobs outside of politics.
These changes are important because they ensure transparency and fairness in the use of public funds, addressing concerns about politicians receiving excessive compensation after leaving office. By providing specific examples and explaining the calculation of severance pay, the article helps readers understand the impact of these rules on public finances and accountability in local governance.
Overall, this article sheds light on an important aspect of political governance and financial management, illustrating the government’s commitment to upholding democratic values and responsible use of taxpayer money.