Tabaku: The corrupt majority system is impoverishing Albanians

Democratic Party MP, Jorida Tabaku, delivered a speech in Parliament today, criticizing the socialist majority for building a dishonest system where the righteous lose and the strong win.

In her speech, Tabaku pointed out the profound impact of corruption on pensioners and employees, who are facing high living costs and salaries that do not even cover basic needs. She emphasized that pensions remain insufficient for a dignified life, while salaries in the private sector are not increasing due to a corrupt system that favors only a handful of oligarchs.

"Albanian pensioners buy bread at European prices, but receive Albanian pensions. This is a direct consequence of the corruption that has choked the economy. At the same time, the private sector is unable to increase salaries for employees, because every tender, every procurement and every concession is captured by a group of individuals," said Tabaku.

Tabaku emphasized that corruption, widespread at every level of the system, has become the main cause of poverty for Albanian families. She underlined that the majority has built a system where power is used to protect personal interests, while citizens suffer the consequences of an economy dominated by monopolists and abuses.

“This corrupt system has not only an economic cost for Albanians, but also a social cost. We are losing the trust of citizens and destroying hope for a better future,” Tabaku said. Tabaku warned that corruption has not only negatively affected the Albanian economy, but has also destroyed citizens’ hope to build a better life in their country. She called for urgent reforms that will guarantee a fair distribution of income and increase pensions and salaries.

In conclusion, the DP MP called for a national awareness and a strong commitment to fight corruption and restore justice in Albania. She expressed her conviction that the country needs a new and fair system, which guarantees the rule of law and an economy free from corruption. “Albanians deserve a system that serves them, not a majority that uses the law for its personal interests,” Tabaku concluded.

Today, Parliament should have met to discuss the implementation of the Constitutional Court's decision, following the report of the Venice Commission that came to Parliament at the request of the Speaker. In fact, this request should not have been made, as the Constitutional Court's decision is clear and binding. It should have been a matter that has been overcome, but unfortunately it is not.

It is unfortunate that, in the last three years, we have been forced to demand the implementation of basic standards of democracy, separation of powers and respect for the rule of law. Albania, a country that has opened negotiations for EU membership, has today returned to a debate of the 1990s. It is being discussed whether or not the decisions of the Constitutional Court should be implemented and whether the separation of powers is respected. This is a shameful regression for a country aspiring to the European Union.

The rules of parliamentary coexistence are drafted unilaterally and court decisions are ignored. This abusive and arrogant behavior has created a perpetual cycle of problems, where power is used only to maintain and reproduce itself.

While Parliament acts as if everything is normal, Albania faces a deep economic crisis. This crisis stems not only from statistics, but from a system built on corruption.

A few days ago, we heard the government's propaganda about extraordinary results and a new plan against corruption. The reality? A special commission that removes functions from permanent commissions and a list of experts paid with dizzying bonuses, excluding any transparent procedure. This corrupt approach has become the standard and norm.

Corruption has a direct cost to the table of every Albanian family. Bread is bought at European prices, but salaries and pensions remain Albanian. A pensioner today faces an income insufficient to survive. How can an ordinary family have a dignified life when 40-50% of its income goes to basic living expenses?

The increase in public sector wages has only been made possible by the devaluation of the euro, while the private sector is paralyzed by corruption and monopolization. Every tender, concession and procurement is captured by a handful of individuals, preventing the private sector from investing and increasing wages.

Corruption has destroyed not only the economy, but also hope for the future. Young people, including doctors and other professionals, are leaving the country en masse. Hospitals in Germany are filling up with Albanian doctors, while our hospitals remain empty. This is the result of a stifling climate and a repressive system that has left Albanians desperate.

Albania needs a fair and transparent system, which sets equal rules for all. Legal exemptions for oligarchs must be removed, taxes that favor monopolists must be eliminated, and a Fiscal Code that supports the middle class and small businesses must be adopted. I am convinced that Albania can and will change. After 2025, things will be better for all Albanian citizens.