Albanians have decided on a number of policies their government deems crucial, through a national survey whose results Prime Minister Edi Rama presented to the public on Thursday.
In the “National Consultation” launched in January, over 560 thousand Albanians responded to 12 policy dilemmas that had been perturbed Rama for some time, he said. Survey replies were sent back to the government by post (60 percent), online (23 percent), and in street stands (17 percent).
As a result, the government will immediately start work to legalize cultivation of medical cannabis, amend legislation in order to have yet-to-be-vetted judges suspended if it deems they have taken wrong decisions, remove requirements for emigrants who want to deposit money in Albanian banks, and harshen penalties for a number of crimes.
- National Consultation Results
- 61 percent think the government should allow cultivation, processing and exportation of medical cannabis;
- 74 percent think the parliament should amend laws to automatically suspend judges and prosecutors who are awaiting vetting when their decisions are in breach of the law;
- 66 percent think the government should put in place a full amnesty for Albanian emigrants to deposit their savings in domestic banks;
- 81 percent think the government should provide social benefits for mothers with three or more minor children;
- 81 percent think the government should double penalties for recidivists in violence in family and against children;
- 69 percent think the government should provide financial support for employees who are fired for reporting their employers’ tax evasion, and penalties the latter should harshen;
- 66 percent think those who receive pension but still work should not pay social contributions;
- 65 percent think the government should harshen penalties and fines against large enterprises’ tax evasion;
- 77 percent think the government should be tougher on companies and individuals polluting the environment;
- 67 percent think the government should ask the EU to decouple Albania and North Macedonia in their integration process;
- 59 percent think Open Balkan initiative is beneficial for Albanian and for regional peace;
- 53 percent think the government should not impose mandatory vaccine certificates in closed public spaces.
Prime Minister’s Comments
Prime Minister Edi Rama said he was surprised by the large participation, and thanked the public for helping him with dilemmas that have been plaguing him for a long time. He vowed to turn all results, without exception, into policies to be implemented immediately. Constitutional changes are not necessary, he added.
Admitting that the same people may have replied multiple times, he added that this could not have influenced the result. Rama claimed that, while a survey with 1,000 individuals would have been enough to get the public opinion, this national survey offers an even “stronger opinion”.
Asked on why the government is not heeding protesters’ voices demanding lower taxes on basic food basket and fuel, Rama responded that fiscal policies cannot be based on public opinion.
Read more: Government Asks Albanians’ Opinion on What Policies to Undertake
