TIRANA, April 17 /ATA/ The Democratic Party chairman, Sali Berisha, said on Thursday at an election rally in Berat—where he introduced the candidates of the “Great Albania” coalition for the May 11 elections—that over the past 12 years, no more than 200 kilometers of roads have been built, despite 12 billion euros spent.
Berisha assured the attendees at the meeting that under the next government, roads and public works would be built at least five times more than what has been done in the past 12 years, accusing the current officials of engaging in shocking levels of embezzlement of public funds.
“Building a road for 20 million euros per kilometer, when Croatia builds the same kind for just 1.7 million, means you’re a brazen thief,” Berisha said.
According to Berisha, Prime Minister Rama is copying the Democratic Party’s program.
“While we have made the minimum promise for a basic standard of living and are committed to delivering it within the first 100 days—ensuring that every Albanian, every pensioner, every unemployed person, every recipient of economic assistance, every student, every orphan, and every child of a single mother will receive 200 euros—he claims he will raise the minimum pension to 200 euros by 2030. This man has no respect for the Albanian people! He looks down on them!” said Berisha.
“I assure you that no salary will ever be lower than 500 euros again. Every pensioner and every citizen on a basic living wage will have a consumer card, allowing them to purchase food and essential goods at 20% less than the prices paid by those with higher salaries. They will receive 450 euros back annually,” Berisha added.
The Chairman of the Democratic Party emphasized that with the implementation of these measures, the country will not fall into a crisis. “We will restore hope, we will restore trust. We will honor those who deserve it, and they fully deserve it,” said Berisha.
Berisha also focused on education, assuring teachers, parents, and students that modernizing education will be a major priority.
“We will double the budget. Teachers’ salaries will reach 1,500 euros and will keep increasing. There will be no education staff downsizing. The number of students per class will be reduced. We will fully digitalize the education system and introduce new technologies,” Berisha said.
According to him, the GPA for university admissions will be scrapped. “The fees, which are currently among the highest in Europe, will be reduced to symbolic amounts or waived altogether,” he added.
Berisha also stressed that a “Great Albania” is impossible without healthcare services.
“That’s why we have decided, and I promise you here today, that the list of reimbursable medications will be exactly the same as that of the Italian Republic—100% reimbursable. I assure you, the healthcare budget will be doubled,” he emphasized.
/sm/
