TIRANA, December 10 – The Parliamentary Committee for Economy, Employment, and Finance approved the 2026 draft budget clause by clause.

During the session, opposition MPs proposed specific amendments. Meanwhile, Democratic Party MP Igli Cara requested a contingency fund of 5 billion Lekë (ALL). He said the fund would support exporters and offset the euro’s depreciation. In addition, he noted it would help the sector maintain its GDP contribution of around 800 million euros.

Also, opposition MPs suggested a 25% salary increase for healthcare staff. They allocated a fund of 2 billion Lekë (ALL) and focused on rural areas. Furthermore, they proposed raising the birth bonus. They recommended a minimum living standard of at least 200 euros. At the same time, they emphasized that disability and family support payments should meet that level.

In agriculture, MPs proposed tripling subsidies from 6 to 16 million Lekë (ALL). In addition, they requested that the 2026 budget allocate 20% for the Elbasan bypass project.

SP MP Erion Braçe said opposition proposals were incomplete. He stressed that fiscal balance required respect. He also highlighted the need to support agriculture after fires and floods. Consequently, he noted that aid would help maintain production and jobs.

Committee Chair Milva Ekonomi said no new resources were available. She emphasized that revenue and expenditure ceilings required respect. Meanwhile, Deputy Finance Minister Endrit Yzeiri summarized fiscal trends. He reported that revenues were expected at 30% of GDP. Expenditures would reach 32% in 2026. In addition, he said both figures would grow gradually in the coming years.

Yzeiri explained that under the Development Bank, underfunded manufacturing sectors would receive support to increase investment and exports. He also stated that sectors needed to become competitive without relying on state mechanisms.

The 2026 draft budget focused on revenue growth, infrastructure, energy, education, agriculture, and social policies. Pension reform aimed to raise urban full pensions to 40,000 Lekë (ALL). Partial urban pensions would reach 22,000 Lekë (ALL). Meanwhile, rural pensions would reach 18,000 Lekë (ALL). Family pensions would also reach 18,000 Lekë (ALL). Furthermore, disability pensions would reach 30,000 Lekë (ALL). He estimated the 2026 cost at 10.4 billion Lekë (ALL).

In addition, the draft budget planned salary increases across public administration. The minimum wage would rise by 10,000 Lekë (ALL) to 50,000 Lekë (ALL). Around 308,000 employees would benefit. Increases would also cover teachers, doctors, nurses, law enforcement, and military personnel.

Parliament scheduled article-by-article discussion of the draft budget on Thursday in the plenary session.

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