Democratic Party MP, Enno Bozdo, commented on the increase in fuel prices in Albania, during the show "Minuta e Parë" on News24 with moderator Ola Bruko. Bozdo called for state intervention to lower the price of oil, proposing the abolition of the turnover tax and the reduction of the excise tax. According to the democratic MP, such measures are necessary to protect the productive economy, especially in a period when the international situation remains uncertain and it is not known how long the conflicts that are affecting the energy markets will last.
Bozdo also criticized the Transparency Board, saying that the mechanism has not brought the expected effect in controlling fuel prices. He also brought as an example the previous period of price increases, when oil exceeded 220 lek per liter. According to him, the price increase also brought additional revenue to the state budget. Bozdo said that he had previously proposed a model similar to the Italian one, while also mentioning the measures taken by other European countries to ease the burden on citizens facing the increase in fuel costs.
According to him, Albania ranks among the countries with the most expensive oil in the world and in Europe, while the price, according to him, should be around 1.7 euros per liter, in line with countries in the region.
"Nothing more than other countries in the region, or even in Europe. To eliminate the turnover tax and reduce the excise tax. It is necessary. It is not for nothing that other countries take such measures. This hits the productive economy. Then we have a conflict that we do not know how long it will last and how it will go. We cannot respond to this situation. I think that the Transparency Board has messed up the work rather than regulated it. In the price of fuel that we pay, taxes constitute 53-55% of the total price. With the previous crisis, where the price exceeded 220 lek per liter, due to the price increase, the Albanian government collected and put 15 million euros more into its coffers. It had it only as a result of the price increase, not because of merit. I was the initiator and I proposed the Italian model. The Belgian government, with the increase in the price of fuel, has started distributing bonuses. We enter the 10 most expensive in the world and in the 5th most expensive in Europe. The fuel increase also affects those who do not use the car, eggs and vegetables will be more expensive for consumers. 42% of income goes to food. The price of oil should be 1.7 euros, like the countries of the region," said the democrat.
Bozdo warned that the increase in fuel prices does not only affect drivers, but has consequences for the entire economy. According to him, the increase in the cost of transportation is also reflected in the prices of food products, bringing a greater burden to families. "The increase in fuel prices also affects those who do not use cars. Eggs and vegetables will be more expensive for consumers. 42% of income goes to food", said the democratic deputy. Asked whether the increase in fuel prices could bring a chain effect on the economy, Bozdo answered positively. He stressed that the situation is difficult to predict due to geopolitical developments and uncertainty over the duration of the conflicts. "Definitely yes. We do not have a geopolitical situation that does not provide clarity. It is not known how long these conflicts will be", said Bozdo.
