Valencia’s mayor highest earning politician in Spain

VALENCIA’S Mayor Rita Barberá is Spain’s highest-earning politician, according to figures in an official bulletin released by Valencia’s courts.

Last year Barberá made €102,467 after tax, €96,712 of which corresponded directly to her job as the city’s mayor. Her earnings place her ahead of many major politicians including the Catalan President Artur Mas.

The bulletin details how the Partido Popular (PP) politician declared post-tax earnings of €64,115 from her role in Valencia’s Town Hall, €32,134 from the Regional Parliament, and even €464 from the Port Authority. She received another €5,757 for governmental duties.

Compared to her earnings in 2012, Barberá has seen her income increase by €7,375 in 2013.

The mayor’s income is noteworthy because it is set significantly higher than other politicians in the region.

For example, Alberto Fabra, President of the Generalitat Valenciana, recorded an income of €50,513 in 2013, and even Spain’s Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy, only took in some €78,000 that same year.

Joan Ribó, spokesperson for Valencia’s political party Compromís, said: “The accumulation of these public salaries on Ms Barberá’s part is scandalous and immoral. The mayor should be made to give an explanation.

“At Compromís, we ask that all political figures make their tax records public so as to offer clarity to the voters, and avoid misunderstandings.”