A total of 17 parties and coalitions are running in the European Parliament elections on June 9, the same number as in 2019, but how much does a MEP earn? The net salary can exceed seven thousand euros.

"The monthly salary of a Member of the European Parliament is 10,075.18 euros gross and 7,853.89 euros net, after deduction of taxes and contributions to EU insurance (values as of 1 July 2023). The funds come from the Parliament's budget", you can read on the website of the European Parliament.

It is worth mentioning that, "since Member States may apply additional national taxes, the final net amounts depend on the tax system of the Member's country of origin".

And what about pensions?

According to the European Parliament, "upon reaching the age of 63, former Members are entitled to a retirement pension, in accordance with Article 14 of the Statute for Members of the European Parliament".

"The amount of this pension is, for each complete year in office, 3.5% of the amount of their salary and, for each additional complete month, one twelfth, but may not exceed 70% in total. The costs are borne by the EU budget", you can read.

It should be noted that the "supplementary pension scheme, which was introduced in 1989 for the benefit of Members of the European Parliament, ceased to cover new Members in July 2009 and is being gradually phased out".

Almost 11 million Portuguese can vote for the European Parliament

An estimated 10.9 million Portuguese voters, of whom more than 641,000 are first-time voters, are called to participate in the European elections scheduled for June 9 in the country, Eurostat announced.

According to the lists posted at the Constitutional Court (TC), the European elections will be contested by the Democratic Alliance (a coalition composed of the PSD, CDS and PPM), PS, Chega, Liberal Initiative, Left Bloc, CDU (PCP/PEV coalition), Livre, PAN, ADN, MAS, Ergue-te, Nova Direita, Volt Portugal, RIR, Nós Cidadãos, MPT and PTP.

In total, there are two coalitions (AD and CDU) and 15 parties. Of the 24 parties recognized by the Constitutional Court, only four will not be running: Aliança, PCTP/MRPP, Juntos Pelo Povo (JPP) and (A)TUA (formerly PRPP).

The AD list is headed by former journalist and television commentator Sebastião Bugalho, followed by PSD vice-president Paulo Cunha, while the PS list is led by former Health Minister Marta Temido and has as number two the former socialist parliamentary leader Francisco Assis.

The Chega is betting on diplomat Tânger Correia as number one, while the Liberal Initiative has chosen its former president João Cotrim Figueiredo as head of the list. The Left Bloc has also bet on a former leader to head its candidacy for the European elections, presenting Catarina Martins.

The CDU (a coalition made up of the PCP and the PEV), has chosen former parliamentary leader João Oliveira as head of the list and Livre has chosen researcher Francisco Paupério, who will be running for election for the first time. The number one for the PAN in the European elections is the party's leader, Pedro Fidalgo Marques.

Read Also: European elections. Parties plan to spend 4.1 million euros on the campaign (Portuguese version)