TIRANA, July 18 /ATA/ – Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha said on Saturday the main opposition party would propose cutting value-added tax (VAT) on basic food items to 5% from a current rate of 20% to help ease pressure from the rising cost of living.
Speaking during an online discussion with citizens, Berisha said even middle-income households were struggling with high prices.
“When not only poor families but also middle-income Albanian families spend 89% of their income on daily living expenses, it is clear the cost of living is being driven by disproportionately high prices – and by narco-euros,” he said.
Berisha argued that proceeds from drug trafficking had fuelled a surge in construction costs, weakened domestic production and left Albania increasingly dependent on imports.
According to him, Albania had been a significant exporter of milk and eggs in 2013, but that both products had since become imports, contributing to a doubling of prices.
“We will undoubtedly take strong measures to ease the burden on Albanian citizens, improve their living standards and reduce prices,” Berisha said.
Separately, asked whether the Democratic Party would hold primaries to pick its candidates for the next local elections in Albania, Berisha said he supported the process but that discussions within the party were ongoing.
“I personally favour primaries, but there is a vigorous internal debate on the issue,” he said.
Berisha said the party was consulting two U.S.-based organisations – the International Republican Institute (IRI), which he described as a long-standing partner of the Democratic Party since the 1990s, and the Leadership Institute – before reaching a final decision.
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