No to the Restoration of 13th and 14th Salaries for Judges and Prosecutors

Judges and prosecutors in Greece will not receive their 13th and 14th salaries. The Salary Court unanimously rejected an appeal by a judicial official against the memorandum-based abolition, through law 4093/2012, of holiday and leave bonuses for judges and prosecutors. The unanimous decision was issued by the Salary Court, presided over by Deputy President of the Council of State Konstantinos Kousoulis, with legal scholar Charicleia Apalagaki as rapporteur. The court ruled that the abolition of these bonuses did not jeopardize the dignified living standards of judicial officials or violate the principle of separation of powers and judicial independence. Specifically, the Special Court under Article 88 of the Constitution confirmed established jurisprudence stating that the Constitution mandates special remuneration treatment for judicial officials ensuring both parity with other public officials and adequacy for maintaining dignity and functionality. The measure was part of a broader fiscal adjustment plan aimed at addressing Greece’s economic crisis and aligning with international agreements.