Despite the economic crisis threatening the whole of Europe, EU officials will see their salaries increase by 3.7% this year.

The Council unanimously decided last year not to follow the Commission proposal which took into account the increases that took place in Member States. The Council adopted a 1.85% increase instead of the 3.7% calculated in accordance with the method as laid down in the Staff Regulations.

However, the Commission, supported by the Parliament, subsequently submitted an action for annulment against the Council Regulation for breaching the Staff Regulations. The judgement was delivered on 24th November. The European Court of Justice (now the Court of Justice of the EU) ruled that both the Commission and the Council are bound by the method for adjusting salaries and pensions laid down in the Staff Regulations and cannot deviate from it without using the ordinary legislative procedure.

Michael Mann, spokesperson for the European Commission, said he is satisfied with the Court’s decision.