15 former MPs of Belgium’s Workers’ Party (PTB/PVDA) who failed to be re-elected have rejected their severance pay, ultimately saving taxpayers around €2 million, the party announced on Wednesday.
The individuals held positions at various levels of power and were entitled to exit bonuses ranging from €45,000 to €210,000.
“For years, we have called out these intolerable privileges. We have proposed their abolition multiple times, only to be ignored by other parties”, said Raoul Hedebouw, president of the radical left party. He urges the new parliaments to get rid of the system.
Calculations made by the PTB/PVDA estimated that the severance pay for MPs who are not re-elected will cost taxpayers €37 million, based on the recent election results. Hedebouw has been fiercely critical of the expense, which represents the total cost for 207 MPs who were not re-elected across different parliaments. MPs can get exit allowances between €100,000 to €500,000 euros, he added.
MPs are not eligible for unemployment benefits at the end of their term. The severance payments therefore aim to provide financial stability for a period of between four months and two years. The size of the payment depends on the number of years served in parliament.
According to the status of Chamber of Representatives members, outgoing deputies should apply for compensation within three months following the end of their term. If they choose not to do this, it is considered a refusal.
