The end-of-year bonus should be 10,000 lek, the indexation should also be increased, the last proposal that goes to the Assembly revealed, the "ball" in the hands of the government

The official Democratic Party has presented 8 amendments for the budget of 2024. Specifically, the DP, through MP Arbi Agalliu, has proposed doubling the bonus and doubling the indexation for pensioners. The fund for indexation of pensions should be made from 4.1 billion allek to 8.2 billion allek, while the fund for the bonus of pensioners from 3.65 million allek to 7.3 billion allek, he said yesterday in a statement to the media. So from the new 5,000 ALL that is expected to 10,000 ALL. He further revealed that amendments have been submitted in terms of economic assistance and people with certain abilities or people in need. "Pensioners are the most vulnerable layer of society, where apart from their physical disability, the financial one is added as well.

Until today, pensions and bonuses for retirees have been at low levels, creating great concern and impossibility of living in this layer of society. This amendment aims to double the funds allocated by the government for pensioners. The fund for indexation of pensions is estimated at 4,137 million ALL and pensioners' bonus 3,650 million ALL. Through this amendment, it is required that the pension indexation fund becomes 8,274 million ALL, thus making it possible to reflect the indexation for 2024, as well as the bonus of pensioners to be 7,300 million ALL. This would somewhat help this layer, which is mostly supported by remittances from their family members", he declared.

Subvecioent in agriculture

Meanwhile, another proposal from the Democratic Party is the 30% increase in subsidies for agriculture. Likewise, the fund for subsidies for agriculture will go from 14.1 billion ALL to 20 billion ALL. Also, the democratic deputy Arbi Agalliiu underlined that the financial effect on the State budget will be borne by the reduction of the government's operating expenses, non-priority investments, concessionary contracts/PPP and office reconstruction and furnishing expenses to the same extent. The amendments, according to the PD, will be launched in the following days by each deputy who made the amendment, concluding in this form the proposals of the Democratic Party. "The financial effect on the State Budget will be borne by the reduction to the same extent of the government's operating expenses, non-priority investments, concessionary contracts/PPP and office reconstruction and furnishing expenses. Agriculture is the sector with the largest number of employees and as such requires maximum support. This support becomes even more necessary especially with the suspension of IPARD funds from the EU.

Subsidies in agriculture to help farmers and farmers are vital. Investments in food security but also in agricultural infrastructure (drainage and irrigation) are a must. In this context, this amendment proposes to increase by about 30% the budget for agriculture for the year 2024 by increasing subsidies. Support for the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development should go from 14,180 million ALL to 20,000 million ALL. The financial effect on the State Budget will be borne by the reduction to the same extent of the government's operating expenses, non-priority investments, concessionary contracts/PPP and office reconstruction and furnishing expenses", underlined Agalliu.

PS reacts

On the other hand, the deputy of the Socialist Party, Milva Ekonomi, also reacted yesterday, who during a statement to the media emphasized that the majority is prepared for discussions. Asked if they will accept the opposition's proposals for the budget, Ekonomi said that they are ready to pass them on to the Economy Commission for consideration, although according to her the presented budget provides support for everyone. "For a parliament, there is no law more important than the budget. It guarantees the exercise year, to give the opportunity for the following year to carry out the tasks. The opposition should have been part of the discussions, they have their voters for whom they are responsible. This is the first, they should feel responsible for the budget.

At the moment when the opposition blocks the meetings, of course other elements will be used, online meetings. The way we have worked shows that we are aware of the great mission we have to serve the people. At this moment, the discussion is done in principle, then the movements you propose to be discussed, the calendar has been approved and will continue in the following days and there is a second discussion article by article and it will be seen if there will be movement within the lines. We have prepared to have a session on the budget, the SP is ready for discussions", declared Ekonomi.