Paraguay's Chamber of Deputies rejected a bill that proposed eliminating, by the end of the 2026 fiscal year, the substantial bonuses paid to the country's highest-ranking state officials. The proposal, which had been approved by the Senate, aimed to redirect these funds to strengthen the public health system, specifically for the purchase of medicines.
The ruling majority, aligned with the Honor Colorado movement, blocked the initiative during the session. The leader of the pro-government bloc, Deputy Miguel Del Puerto, defended the position by arguing that the measure could affect other sectors of public administration and that the Executive Branch had already implemented actions to rationalize spending. Deputy Rocío Abed described the proposal as a maneuver with a strong political component.
On the opposition side, criticism was sharp. Independent Deputy Raúl Benítez stated that the project emerged as a direct response to the bonus increase for the President of Congress, Senator Basilio "Bachi" Núñez, who had set a monthly benefit for himself exceeding 21 million guaranis. Benítez accused the ruling party of defusing the controversy without actually changing the privileges. Deputy Johanna Ortega reinforced that the text did not eliminate benefits for teachers and questioned the maintenance of extraordinary remuneration for officials in a context of austerity and deficiencies in public services.
The debate highlighted the high earnings of top officials. For example, a minister in the Executive Branch receives, in addition to a base salary, a responsibility bonus exceeding 6.5 million guaranis, bringing their total monthly income to approximately 33 million guaranis. This amount contrasts with the recent minimum wage increase, which was only 144,952 guaranis.
With the rejection by the deputies, the bill now returns to the Senate, which will decide whether to insist on the proposal or shelve it definitively.