Photo: Czech Radio
The government has agreed to raise pensions next year, on average by CZK 750 a month. Since the decision became public on Thursday, several economists have reacted by saying that this is not the right time to increase the state’s budgetary commitments. Some have even accused the government of raising pension to attract more voters ahead of the October elections.
Finance Minister Alena Schillerová told Czech Radio that pensioners are a priority for the government and that the extra money has become available thanks to cuts in several other segments of the annual budget. In total, the rise in pensions is set to cost between 7 billion to 11 billion crowns.