Lulzim Basha, the leader of the Democratic Party has promised that if elected, his government will raise the national minimum wage to EUR 300 within the first six months and EUR 400 by the end of the first mandate.
He made the pledge whilst addressing citizens and the media at the 7th Congress of the Union of Independent Trade Unions last week.
The minimum wage in Albania is just EUR 212 per month with many families struggling to make ends meet as the cost of living increases. Basha noted the lack of decent job opportunities combined with an unacceptably low minimum wage and a rise in the cost of living, including utilities, food, and taxes. He added that a number of businesses are failing and closing due to the increase in taxes and decreased spending power of the population.
“Life is becoming more expensive and unaffordable, the opportunity to support families is less and it is forcing them to move away and emigrate in despair.”
He added that the poor economic situation, combined with farce elections, non-existent justice, and a high level of corruption and crime is making the dream of joining the EU fade each day. Basha continued that the Socialist Party Government has failed during its two terms in power and the citizens of Albania are suffering as a result.
The PD claims it has consulted with a number of international experts to plan how to govern the country and increase the quality of life for Albanian citizens. Firm action plans are in place to create new jobs, attract foreign investment, help small businesses, and reduce the tax rate to 9% across the board, in the hopes it will stimulate the economy and increase the quality of life for Albanians.
Yesterday, Basha attended a meeting the Head of the OSCE Delegation, Bernd Borchardt to discuss the need for electoral reform in Albania. The PD also took place in an OSCE roundtable to discuss the steps needed to implement meaningful governmental, electoral, and political reform.
The US Embassy commended the PD’s attendance noting that it “demonstrates real leadership on an issue essential to the further strengthening of Albania’s institutions”.
“The United States supports enacting the reforms advocated by the election experts at OSCE/ODIHR so that Albania can hold elections free from coercion, political pressure, and vote-buying.”
The Socialist Party’s representative at the OSCE roundtable was Socialist Party MP Damian Gjiknuri who also sits on the Committee of Electoral Reform. His voice appears on the Electiongate wiretaps, appearing to collude to buy votes and rig the outcome of the 2016 elections.
