SWEDEN: Public criticism over high salaries combined with pensions enjoyed by some ministers in Mr Göran Persson's new government, has prompted the Minister of Migration to give up his salary from next month.
The gesture means Mr Jan Karlsson will be working for free for the government. His monthly salary of almost €5,000 will be donated to the Olof Palme Memorial Fund for human rights and student exchange.
Sweden's ministerial salaries average 82,000 krona (€8,500) a month. After tax ministers take home around €4,600. However, problems arise when this income is combined with a pension, or transitional allowance, in the case of Mr Karlsson.
As the former President and Member of the European Court of Auditors Mr Karlsson is entitled to a monthly income after tax of 80,000 krona. This combined with his ministerial salary grants him a monthly income equivalent to almost €13,000.
To make matters worse, at an earlier press conference the minister dismissed the affair as "a private economic matter". When it was later revealed he had billed the foreign ministry for a private dinner, outrage swelled.
Since Mr Karlsson cannot waive his right to the transitional allowance, the most tactical compromise was to renounce his ministerial salary.
The new Minister of Defence already has given up her pension to avoid the fierce debate.