How much should heads of state be compensated? Recent research has revealed some surprising results around Europe.
Irish President Michael D. Higgins is the second highest paid head of state in Europe, only surpassed by Swiss President Viola Amherd, according to a recent study. This information emerged from a detailed analysis comparing presidential salaries across Europe.
The findings revealed that President Higgins’ annual salary exceeds €330,000. This figure is almost seven times the average income in Ireland.
By comparison, Slovakia’s President Zuzana Caputova and Bulgaria’s President Rumen Radev earn significantly less, but their salaries are higher than the average wage in their countries. Radev receives 124,000 euros, 10 times the average Bulgarian wage.
Compare presidential incomes
The highest paid president in Europe is Viola Amheld of Switzerland, who earns a whopping 545,183 euros a year. At the other end of the spectrum, Slovenia’s Natasa Pirk Musar receives €44,701 a year, just 3 percent more than the national average wage.
In Ukraine and Serbia, presidential salaries are also significantly lower than average incomes. This study acknowledges the diverse roles and responsibilities of these presidents.
Mr Higgins’ salary is higher than France’s Emmanuel Macron, who leads the government and earns an annual salary of 190,752 euros, despite his largely ceremonial role.
Economic background and transparency
European presidential salaries vary widely. On average, a European head of state earns 4.1 times more than the average citizen, costing taxpayers about 49.62 euros per hour. The analysis includes 31 European countries with a president as head of state, excluding monarchies Denmark, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
Interestingly, in 2011, in the midst of a major economic recession, President Higgins promised to cut his salary by 23.5 percent, bringing his annual income to €249,014. However, he later repaid his salary in full and voluntarily donated the pensions of the Oireachtas and his ministers to the state.
The report notes that Ireland’s strong economy, with a GDP per capita of US$112,248, puts Higgins’ salary in a different light.
Compared to the country’s wealth, his income is in the bottom 10. By contrast, Cyprus and Switzerland, which have a more hands-on role as president, also rank highly when compared to average wages.
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