Xhixho: On May 11, pensioners will choose an Albania that recognizes their sacrifices and life's work

The Vice President of the Liberal Party, Erisa Xhixho, states that pensioners are today the most discriminated social category.

In a statement to the media from PL headquarters, Xhixho accused the Rama government of not only taking away their votes for 12 years, but also never increasing their pensions.

According to Xhixho, pensioners as the poorest category in the region, the bonus of 100 euros once every four years by the Rama government is not only a mockery, but also a shameful contempt for them.

Statement by the Vice President of the Freedom Party, Ms. Erisa Xhixho

Dear citizens!

Pensioners are today the most discriminated, most excluded and poorest social category in society. Edi Rama's government, which for 12 years only took their votes, but never increased their pensions, expects them to vote again on May 11th.  

Across the country, there are 791,000 pensioners who go to the ballot boxes with grocery store debts, unable to buy medicine to cure illnesses, afraid of whether they will be able to pay their energy bill at the end of the month, and with their eyes on the money their children send them to make ends meet.

In 12 years, Edi Rama's government did not bother to make their lives easier by increasing their compensation for their lifetime contribution. Not only did it not increase their pensions, but it did not even guarantee them services to make it easier for them to face the challenges of old age.

We have often seen and continue to see scenes of pensioners standing in line for hours for their subscription, for medicines at pharmacies or for ridiculous bonuses. For Edi Rama's government, a bonus of 100 euros once every four years, whenever he needs votes, is not only a mockery, but also a shameful contempt.

Albanian pensioners are the poorest in the region with an average pension of 160 euros, while in Kosovo it is 340 euros, in Montenegro it is 450 euros, in North Macedonia it is 325 euros and in Serbia it is 390 euros.

These people who have built Albania with their sweat and blood deserve its gratitude. This country, which is being emptied daily of its young people, of their children, has the obligation to say thank you for a lifetime of service to it, and it should do this not through ridiculous bonuses once every four years, but through a well-thought-out plan for real support.

The Alliance for a Greater Albania has this plan and will make it a reality in the first 100 days.

● We will establish a living wage of 200 euros for every Albanian. Every pensioner, with a full or partial pension, lower than 200 euros per month, every unemployed person or person on economic assistance, every student with a scholarship and every orphan will receive 200 euros per month.

● Pensions are increased by 20%.

● Every pensioner, citizen with a subsistence minimum or minimum wage (500 euros) will be provided with a Consumer Card, with which they will benefit from a refund of the VAT paid on purchases of basic food, electricity, water and medicines, benefiting around 450 euros per year.

● For people with disabilities who need it, the caretaker and his insurance will be paid, and all the sanitary and auxiliary means they need will be guaranteed by the state.

● The price of electricity will be reduced to 7 lek/kWh.

● The price of oil will decrease by 35-40%.

● All fines for electricity and drinking water for pensioners are waived

On May 11, pensioners will choose an Albania that recognizes their sacrifices and rewards their life's work.