From the next electoral period, double pay for mayors will cease.

From the next election period, double pay for mayors and regional council chairpersons will come to an end

New rules mean that mayors and regional council chairpersons will no longer be able to receive double pay in the form of severance pay from their previous employer and a salary from their new employer.

As it has been until now, a mayor who gets a new job, has been able to receive severance pay from the municipality and a salary from the new employer. This rule already applies to members of parliament and ministers.

- Mayors and regional council chairpersons perform important duties, and therefore they should also have decent conditions when they leave. This is crucial for our local democracy, says Interior and Health Minister Sophie Løhde (V) in a press release.

- But it should be a safety net - and not a "double salary" - and that's why we are now changing the rules.

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Rule change has been in the works for a long time

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Social Democrats and the Liberals already three years ago began the process of changing the rules for mayors' severance pay.

In September, it was reported from the former mayor of Fredericia, Steen Wrist (S) (), that:

- I understand if people are wondering about that, and mayors do indeed have a relatively high salary. But it's not that simple, because the rules are for severance pay.

In April of this year, he resigned as mayor mid-term – and just a few weeks later, he started a new job as manager of a training center in West Jutland.

From city hall in Fredericia, he received approximately 5.75 million DKK in severance pay, and with his new job's salary, he currently receives a double salary.

Politicians' severance pay depends on how long they have been in office. It is a payment that the politician receives when they leave.

A mayor can, after eight years as mayor, receive the maximum severance pay of one year's salary.

It is typically between 500,000 DKK and slightly over one million DKK that a departing mayor receives in the first half to the entire year after leaving office.

With the new rules, departing mayors and regional council chairpersons will, however, still be entitled to a severance pay exemption of 157,564 DKK. The same exemption applies to members of parliament.

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