TIRANA, Nov 18 /ATA/ – Lulzim Basha, leader of Albania’s Euro-Atlantic Democrats, on Monday criticized the government’s pension reforms, accusing it of using pensioners as political tools.
In a statement on the social media in response to announcement by Prime Minister Edi Rama of the government’s 2025 budget, which includes a year-end bonus for pensioners, Basha said that a handful of people are reaping benefits and accused government of abandoning retired people.
Basha said that instead of offering year-end bonuses to pensioners, the government should deliver on sustainable pension reforms.
“The current pension system is on the brink of collapse, affected by Albania’s declining population and falling contributions. The small handouts and the electoral bonuses provide no long term solutions and fail to address deeper, long-term challenges facing pensioners,” Basha said in his social media statement.
As part of his proposed solution, Basha outlined a plan to increase pensions by 20%, adjust them annually based on double the rate of inflation, and provide a permanent bonus of 250,000 leks for lower pensions. He also pledged to reimburse essential medication costs for retirees.
“Albanian pensioners are the victims of misconduct and widespread corruption in every government level. The solution is a radical change that paves the way for a government that takes care of pensioners and Albanian families,” he said.
“The current pension system is failing to support its beneficiaries,” Basha added. “A fundamental change is needed to ensure the government addresses the needs of pensioners and the broader economy.”
/j.p/u.sh/
