In a speech lasting more than an hour in front of the National Assembly of the Socialist Party (PS), Prime Minister Edi Rama spoke about the reforms of his government and the future of his party’s coalition with the Socialist Movement for Integration (LSI).
About the reforms and accomplishments of his government
- This is the final meeting of the assembly for this year, signaling the beginning of a new phase of our party for a new mandate to continue our effort for an Albania of the Next Generation.
- If we refer to the long list of engagements we have taken and the works that we have completed we would need a speech that would last until tomorrow. I don’t say this in an allegorical way, but in the full meaning of the word.
- From the first day we removed the flat tax of 10% from the shoulders of the middle and poor classes. In this way we gave $140 million to those who pay taxes on their salary.
- We have accomplished 300,000 legalizations this year.
- Today we have the possibility to raise the wages and divert $100 million per year from the state’s treasury to the bank accounts of families, while the previous government only gave out $124 million in eight years.
- What we stopped with our reforms in 2013 was a hemorrhage that would have destroyed all sectors. Today there is no sector that hasn’t been transformed.
- The economical growth of 3.5% is not large enough, but still makes Albania’s growth rate the highest in the region.
- We need to go beyond the 5% and we will. We have a plan to surpass 7% in the next three years, through a massive plan costing $1 billion.
- Albania no longer has a threatening debt. It is the first time that pensions and salaries are raised without increasing our debts.
- Let’s look at the unemployment that everyone points out every day, be that Sali Berisha or the previous government, or the heralds selling Berisha’s books. The international statistics say that the employment rate is up and that poverty is in decline.
- We closed the year with a solidarity package, that no only identifies us in the eyes of all those who are in need, but also helps us to understand how much distance we have covered after we decided to work on this issue.
- For families that receive economical support we will give an end-of-the-year bonus. But this bonus will not solve their difficulties. In relation to these difficulties we are humble.
- I am very unhappy because much more could have been done. I am convinced that this unhappiness is healthy.
- Parties and governments to not differ by how angelic they are, but how diabolical they are. We have not committed any treason or sin that damages our country or citizens.
For the future of the coalition with LSI
- It is our strategic goals to be be in a coalition with the LSI.
- This is not a question of Dinamo–Partizani [two Tirana football clubs], of course we are partners, competitors, of course we want to win the championship, we don’t want LSI to win it, but it is a healthy competition in the framework of a strategic partnership.
- You’ll say why don’t they say the same? It normal that the big one says what he wants, and that it’s up to the small one to think.
About the opposition
- Evil has a name; it is called Sali Berisha and his band.
- Just like poverty and unemployment, we didn’t bring crime in 2013. We found it among them.
- Every Thursday all the villains and heralds of the past are gathered and say that’s it’s enough for this government to leave to solve all problems.
- Of course we have a battle to wage, but I refuse any accusations from wherever they may come, from charlatans or their sympathizers that attack the State Police or the Ministry of Interior Affairs about Klement Balili.
- Klement Balili is wanted just like in Italy, US and all around the world the bosses of drugs trafficking are wanted.
- The big difference is that if the police were looking for him yesterday [under the previous government], he would be sitting together with police directors eating lamb and getting out on Facebook. Now he has to hide in holes and sooner or later he will end up behind bars.
