Democratic Party MP Jorida Tabaku has reacted to the government's 5 lek bonus for pensioners, calling it a seasonal handout that cannot cope with the rising cost of living. In a video posted on social media, Tabaku points out that Albanian pensioners receive the lowest pensions in the region, while facing prices that are approaching European Union levels every day.

"What value is a bonus of 5 thousand lek when everything has become more expensive? Prices in Albania are 90% of the European Union average, while salaries are only 20% of the European average," says Tabaku.

She cites as an example the prices of dairy products, which, according to her, are 36% higher than the European average, while Albania spends only 2.9% of its Gross Domestic Product on healthcare.

Tabaku underlines that the bonus for around 777 thousand pensioners costs the budget approximately 35 million euros, an amount ten times lower than the cost of the Milot-Balldren road concession, which has reached around 360 million euros.

"With a drop of a pencil, the Milot-Balldren concession goes to 360 million euros, while only 35 million euros are given to 777 thousand pensioners. This clearly shows how much pensioners are worth to this government," declares the DP MP.

According to Tabaku, temporary bonuses cannot replace a serious policy for increasing pensions and guaranteeing a dignified lifestyle for the elderly.

"Pensioners do not need seasonal handouts, but dignified pensions. While the state budget has become a haven for tenders, concessions, tax exemptions and abuses of public property, pensioners are left with only a bonus of 5 thousand lek," Tabaku concludes.

Jorida Tabaku: What value is a bonus of 5 thousand lek, when everything has become more expensive?

Prices in Albania are 90% of the European Union average, while salaries are only 20% of the European Union average.

Dairy products alone, cheese and milk, are 36% more expensive than the European Union average.

Healthcare spending is only 2.9% of Gross Domestic Product.

These are all data that show that 5 thousand lekëshi for 777 thousand pensioners is simply a pittance.

It's almost 35 million euros, while, with a stroke of a pen, the Milot-Balldren road concession has gone up to 360 million euros, ten times more.

This shows how much pensioners are worth to the Albanian government.

Pensioners are worth almost nothing to this government.

Seasonal bonuses and seasonal handouts do not help retirees have a more dignified life.

While the state budget is filled with abuses and has become a haven for corruption, tenders, concessions, public assets, and tax exemptions, for 777 thousand pensioners there is only a seasonal handout of 5 thousand lek.