Speaking at a roundtable organised by DP’s Department of Economy and Finance on the situation of pensioners, Berisha said many retirees were facing severe financial hardship.

“Some 490,000 pensioners receive partial pensions. They do not receive full minimum pensions, but partial ones – essentially crumbs. Given market prices, they are living under very difficult conditions,” he said.

Berisha argued that rising prices for essential goods and services had not been matched by proportional increases in pensions and wages, further eroding purchasing power.

He also criticised the method used for pension indexation, claiming it is based on overall inflation rather than the higher inflation affecting basic goods.

Berisha also claimed that pensions in 2013 were higher in regional terms and criticised what he described as tax increases and inadequate pension indexation policies, saying retirees have been left behind despite rising prices of over 100% in recent years.

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According to the Minister of Economy, Culture and Innovation Blendi Gonxhja a total of 22 718 pensioners have already received the spring bonus.

Under the plan – funded through the Bank of Albania – pensioners receiving up to 20,000 lek will get a spring bonus of 10 000 lek, whereas those with pensions above 20 000 lek will receive a bonus of 5000 lek.

This is the second bonus being awarded to the retired people after the traditional year-end payment.

Gonxhja said that every retiree can withdraw the payment until September 30 at the Albanian Post offices or at second tier banks across the country.

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In a conversation with senior citizens, after hearing their complaints, Bardhi said that they have enriched themselves and impoverished the people. Prices of all goods have gone up, pensions have remained unchanged, while Albania has lagged behind other countries.

“75 thousand citizens have left the region of Elbasan in these 8 years, or about 25% of the population. No progress has been made, “- said Bardhi.

Bardhi added that “Edi Rama brags about free health care, but there is no free healthcare, no 300 thousand jobs, no reduction of living costs, on the contrary life has become more expensive therefore the change is needed. No more unkept promises. “This government has embezzled the budget and enriched itself.”
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