Minister of Finance Petrit Malaj published official statistics appreciating that the local finances are growing stronger as local government capacity improves. The minister reported that local revenues for the first half of 2026 reached 34.8 billion lekë, an 82% increase (15.7 billion lekë more) over the same period last year. Meanwhile, local expenditures rose 16% to 42.2 billion lekë, adding 5.7 billion lekë compared to the first half of 2025.

According to Malaj, property tax collections grew by 25% in early 2026, totaling 5.9 billion lekë.

The municipalities with the highest growth are: Himara with 276%; Cërrik with 262%, Vlora with a growth of 188%; Patos 168%; Elbasan with 53% and Tirana with a growth of 23%.

The minister emphasized that the increase in revenues creates more opportunities for municipalities to finance investments and provide better quality public services to citizens.

He also evaluated this performance as an indicator of the improvement of local fiscal administration and the consolidation of the financial capacities of local governments, in function of the sustainable development of the communities. /e.xh/j.p/p.s./

Speaking at the plenary session of the Parliament, Demo stated that there are four agreements under discussion, the Interreg and three IPA agreements.

According to him, both large and small municipalities will benefit from the respective projects, while they represent new financial capacity.

“The municipalities will have the opportunity, based on competitive projects, to be financed with over thirty million euros, which are very important for local economic development and the development of the region as a whole,” Demo underlined.

According to him, the municipalities have gained experience over these years.

Demo expressed confidence that the opposition MPs will support them because at the end of the day these opportunities, managed by our local municipalities, make life better for hundreds of thousands of people every day. /k.s/j.p/p.s./