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The 2026 draft budget was approved article by article in the Parliamentary Committee on Economy, amid numerous debates and proposals from the opposition, which were rejected by the majority for fiscal reasons.
Democratic MP Igli Cara called for the creation of a 5 billion lek contingent fund for exporters to offset the negative effects of the weakening euro, which he said has severely damaged the manufacturing industry. He stressed that medium and large enterprises are under pressure from the exchange rate and a tax regime that is more onerous than in the countries of the region.
The opposition also demanded a 25% wage increase for the health sector, with a focus on rural areas, and proposed additional social measures: a higher birth bonus, a living wage of 200 euros, disability payments that should not be lower than this minimum, and an increase in economic assistance for families in need.
In agriculture, a tripling of funds for subsidies and greater commitment to rural infrastructure were requested, including the construction of the Elbasan bypass.
SP MP Erion Braçe opposed the opposition's amendments, demanding the preservation of fiscal balance and emphasizing the need for greater support for agriculture following the damage from fires and floods.
The Chairperson of the Commission, Milva Ekonomi, stated that there is no room for increasing expenditures beyond the established ceilings, while the Deputy Minister of Finance, Endrit Yzeiri, said that budget revenues for 2026 are projected at 30% of GDP, while expenditures are projected at 32%, remaining within medium-term objectives.
Yzeiri announced that from 2026, through the Development Bank, the manufacturing and export sectors will be supported, but emphasized that state aid cannot be the main mechanism for their long-term development.
Key points of the 2026 draft budget for citizens:
-Increase in the minimum wage to 50,000 lek from January 1, 2026
-Salary increase for doctors, teachers, law enforcement officers and administration
-The urban pension is expected to reach 40,000 lek by 2030, while the rural pension is 18,000 lek
-The disability pension will increase to 30,000 lek.
-The effect of the pension reform for 2026 is estimated at 10.4 billion lek
-The budget focuses on investments in infrastructure, energy, education and agriculture, as well as social policies for the needy and low-income pensioners.
The draft budget will go to a vote article by article in the plenary session of the Assembly on Thursday.
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