Kosovo four months without an assembly, MPs receive salaries despite lack of effective work

Four months after the elections, the Kosovo Assembly has still not been constituted, while MPs continue to be paid regularly with monthly salaries amounting to over 1,500 euros, despite the lack of effective work.

Kosovo's MPs continue to be paid, even though they are not doing effective work. The ninth legislature of the Assembly continues to remain unconstituted, even though it has been almost four months since the elections.

Even the 26th attempt held today has failed, while the next session will be held tomorrow. And despite these failures and lack of work, their salaries are being paid. Eugen Cakolli, a researcher at the Democratic Institute of Kosovo, said that although the Assembly has been blocked for several months, the deputies are not upset about this issue. This is because they are continuing to receive salaries.

"In total, over 300 thousand euros in wages from citizens' taxes - for less than two hours of effective work, and without any decisions being made," Cakolli wrote on Facebook.

Meanwhile, Ehat Miftaraj from the Kosovo Law Institute has revealed how much MPs are being paid.

"According to the Law on Salaries in the Public Sector, the gross monthly salary of a deputy is approximately 1,859 euros, until June 30, 2025. After this date, the salary becomes 1,914 euros," he stated .

He says that parliamentarians even have meditation included in their fixed monthly salary.

"The daily allowance has been integrated into their fixed monthly salary, with the 8th legislature making this change. MPs no longer receive additional compensation/salary for participating in plenary sessions, including those for attempts to constitute the Assembly."

Some MPs have also been asked about their salaries, whether they are receiving them. However, some of them do not like being asked whether they deserve them.

"We were paid around 1,500 euros without commissions or other bonuses. This basic salary is because they think we get paid daily, I have a salary," said Bekë Berisha, AAK MP.

This question did not please PDK MP Rashit Qalaj, who told journalists that it is not their job to discuss MPs' salaries.

"I think it's not your place to discuss the MP's salary," said Qalaj.

LDK MP Armend Zemaj was also asked about the issue of salaries, and he said that this is a procedural and legal issue.

"I don't decide on the salary, it's a procedural and legal issue. The work is being done, the sessions are called according to the regulations. MPs have an obligation to participate and represent the citizens, this is a constitutional responsibility," Zemaj declared.

Meanwhile, Nezir Kraki, MP from Vetëvendosje, said that he does not know if his salary has been paid and he does not even know how much the MP's salary is.

The basic salary of a member of parliament in Kosovo is 1,547 euros per month or 18,564 euros per year. The monthly compensation for participation in plenary sessions is 240 euros, while the compensation for committee meetings is 160 euros. The 120 members of parliament are also entitled to cover their living expenses and travel expenses both within and outside the country on official duties.

So far, MPs have only passed two items on the agenda of the constitutive session: the report of the temporary committee for the verification of mandates and the oath of office of MPs. However, the process has stalled on the third item: the election of the speaker of parliament.

The LVV candidate for Speaker of the Kosovo Assembly, Albulena Haxhiu, is being considered a divisive figure by two parliamentary parties: PDK and AAK. These two entities have requested that LVV nominate another name for Speaker. The LDK, meanwhile, has said that it has no votes for any of the LVV's nominees for the position of Speaker.

The nomination for parliamentary speaker is the exclusive right of the election winner, LVV, which insists that Haxhiu deserves to be elected and, although it has sought a political agreement with other parties, has ruled out the possibility of bringing forward a candidate other than itself.

The deputies must elect the speaker and five vice-speakers to finally constitute the new Assembly. Only after the Assembly is constituted can the new Government be formed./REL