While the Chamber of Deputies election won‘t take place until October 2025, campaigning has essentially already begun as 2024 is coming to a close. One of the most visible figures is the chair of the ANO 2011 parliamentary group and former Minister of Finance, Alena Schillerová.
The topic of politicians‘ salaries has resurfaced recently. What is the current situation?
At the moment, constitutional officials decide on their salary increases themselves. Prime Minister Petr Fiala‘s government initially proposed a 14% hike, causing a justified outcry. They later reduced it to 7%, but even that is completely detached from reality. Our country just experienced a massive inflationary episode, with real wages falling back to levels from seven years ago, according to the Ministry of Finance. We had to revise the budget because of floods. Meanwhile, the government is imposing one restrictive measure after another, raising taxes, contributions, and removing critical tax benefits for students and families. A salary increase for politicians is absolutely inappropriate.
Your party proposes freezing salaries for five years. Wouldn't that lead to a sudden sharp increase afterward?
Politicians warning about a sharp increase are merely trying to justify their own salary hikes and block our proposal to freeze them. The extent to which salaries rise is a matter of law – one that lawmakers themselves approve. Parliament holds sovereignty over this matter and can decide whether increases align, for example, with the average annual wage growth in the economy.
ANO often claims it will reverse much of what the current government has enacted. What are your top priorities? We will certainly reverse some harmful tax changes, but first, we must return to diligent tax collecting and rectify the chaos caused by Zbyněk Stanjura. Then, reducing VAT in areas like gastronomy, services, or housing-related items such as heating and water is essential. These areas were burdened with senseless tax increases by the ODS minister. Due to such policies, 1.3 million Czechs have fallen into energy poverty according to latest surveys. While we won‘t promise German wages in four years, we will focus on reducing tax evasion to match Germany‘s level. The billions saved will go to areas where people will truly feel the impact – schools, housing, or growth- oriented projects.
What‘s your view on pension reform?
Cutting pensions and extending the retirement age by two years isn‘t reform. It is even questionable whether the state would save anything at all. Many seniors aged 66 or 67 will merely end up on unemployment benefits, disability pensions, or other social welfare programs. Essentially, the state won‘t be paying from one pocket but the other instead. True reform must introduce additional funds into the pension system – a task this government has completely ignored.
What‘s the solution, in your opinion?
There are numerous ways to bring more funds into the system. One such option is already in the government‘s policy statement. Yes, it concerns strategic state investments, which align with Czechia‘s alleged plans to invest two trillion crowns in nuclear reactors, and it is something that makes a lot of sense. Other possibilities include enhancing pension savings schemes, promoting employee savings plans, or a combination of these. Economic growth and tackling the shadow economy are also key.
What are ANO‘s promises for the 2025 election?
We don‘t need to promise anything; our track record speaks for itself. Until the pandemic, we maintained balanced or surplus state budgets. Thanks to tools like tax monitoring, the Tax Cobra, or EET (Electronic Sales Registry), we achieved some of Europe‘s best results in reducing tax evasion, enabling tax cuts for individuals, entrepreneurs, and businesses. We offer a return to competent governance, a predictable business environment, and genuine economic growth built on our innovation strategy, which garnered respect around the world, and addressed not only economic but also educational and social dimensions – something the Fiala administration has wrongfuly abandoned, leaving us standing in place for four years now.
How will you spend Christmas? Are you looking forward to seeing your grandchildren František, Jaroušek, and Laurinka‘s glowing faces?
Absolutely. We‘ll enjoy the comforts of home, good food, and fairy tales, and we‘ll definitely visit the magical markets on Zelňák. We‘ll be in Brno, this year‘s European Capital of Christmas – a well-deserved title. The markets, program, and overall festive atmosphere have been exceptional since the start of December.
CV BOX
Alena Schillerová (born March 18, 1964, in Brno) is an MP for the ANO 2011 movement and former minister of finance.
She obtained a law degree from the Masaryk University in Brno. She went on to work at the Brno- Country Financial Office, later becoming the director.
She was the special deputy minister of finance for taxation and tariffs, starting in 2016. In 2017, she was appointed minister of finance, which was a position she held until last year‘s election, since which she has been an MP. She is also the vice-chair of the ANO 2011 movement as of this February.
