According to the review, 9 out of 11 Lithuanian representatives in the European Parliament stated that they have at least one additional activity (31 activities in total). They announced that they hold positions in political organizations, operating in various companies, communities, associations, universities. Only one MEP, V. Uspaskich, stated that he receives income from additional activities.
“Currently, every fourth member of the European Parliament receives additional income for activities outside the Parliament, which sometimes exceed their salaries. It is necessary to ensure that our elected representatives act for the benefit of the public and not for personal interests. I hope that Lithuanian politicians elected to the European Parliament will actively contribute to the discussions and support initiatives aimed at stricter control of income from additional activities”, said Ingrida Kalinauskienė, head of Transparency International’s Lithuanian branch.
As mentioned in the conducted review, two thirds (497 out of 705) of all MEPs declared additional activities, one fifth of which are paid. The largest number of MEPs who indicated that they are engaged in at least one additional paid or unpaid activity are from Austria, Latvia, Luxembourg, Lithuania and Belgium.
On average, MEPs from Lithuania (for one MEP), Malta, Greece, Hungary and Slovakia earn the most from additional activities, according to the review. The least – Cyprus, Sweden and the Netherlands. 12 of the 20 highest earning MEPs receive more income from additional activities than from the salary of an MEP.
Tags: Uspaskich receives additional income European Parliament
