Approval of the 2024 budget, Tabaku: Most of those who raised their ballots do not know what they voted for

Deputy of the Democratic Party, at the same time chairwoman of the National Integration Council Jorida Tabaku regarding today's parliamentary session, where amid chaos and tensions, the 2024 budget was voted with 74 votes for and 4 against.

In a reaction on social networks, Tabaku writes that today the cards of the majority were raised for a budget that increased taxes by 70 million euros, mainly for the middle class.

She says that the main concern she has raised this month is that this budget will continue to not support the middle class, but rather hit the middle class.

"I'm sure none of you managed to understand what was voted on today amid the noise and commotion. I am sure that most of those who raised their ballots do not know what they voted for. Another socialist budget was voted today, which increased taxes by 70 million euros, mainly for the middle class.

There are three significant figures and facts about this budget. First, Albania will continue to remain one of the poorest countries in the Western Balkans, leaving behind only Kosovo with 23% poverty.

Albania will have the lowest social protection of all Western Balkan countries and will have a budget of almost 11% of the Gross Domestic Product for social protection.

Third, Albania has the lowest wages in the entire Western Balkans, with a share of almost 4.5% of the Gross Domestic Product.

These three figures show that nothing changes in the 10-year trend of socialist budgets. Nothing changes and no support, no stimulus for the middle class, no excuse to explain what is happening to the economy today and why we have higher prices.

But on the other hand, not even a gradual increase to go at least towards the indicators of the Western Balkans.

The main concern that I have raised this month is hard to hear in the noise, has been that this budget will continue to not support the middle class, it will hit the middle class.

To formalize the formality, but on the other hand there is a tendency, which has become disturbing, in terms of supporting education.

There is no reason to worry, nor to be surprised when we see the PISA figures that the young Albanians today have the biggest decline in reading, mathematics and science.

This is related to budget policies, when we don't budget, when we don't support education, development economy, information technology, this will happen. Where we have no economic development model, this will happen.

All these concerns that I have raised during this month and all of these should be concerns for the government as well, are the real problems that the economy has.

These are the reasons why today the youth leave, why there is no meritocracy. At the end of the day, everything is related to the vision for the budget and the vision that a government has for the economy.

Condolences to all those who have not managed to transmit what is needed in terms of the budget.

It is very difficult for arguments and ideas to be heard and seen and analyzed when there is noise. Unfortunately, another socialist budget was approved! ", she says.