Berisha challenges Rama on pensions and calls for public debate

Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha has continued his criticism of Prime Minister Edi Rama, accusing him of failing to deliver on pensions. Speaking at a campaign event, Berisha contrasted his own commitments with Rama’s, declaring himself a “man of his word.”

Why is this important: With the upcoming elections approaching, pensions have become an important issue. Berisha’s remarks signal an effort to challenge Rama on social welfare policies, directly targeting one of the government’s most contested promises.

Context: Berisha accused Rama of neglecting pensioners while leading a lavish lifestyle. He reiterated his own pledge to ensure no pension falls below €200, whether in urban or rural areas. He went further, claiming that Rama’s expenditures on luxury and travel equated to the income of thousands of pensioners.

 “He drinks wine worth 210 pensions in one meal, in two years has spent the equivalent of 130,000 pensions travelling by plane.”

A call for a debate: Berisha once again challenged Rama to a public debate, specifically on EU integration, calling the government’s progress on the matter a “grand pyramid of deception.” He also criticized Rama’s media presence, alleging that his campaign was built on monologues, deceit, and theatrics. “At the most serious moments for the nation, he talks of lizards and frogs,” he added.

Agriculture policy: Alongside his criticism, Berisha presented his 17-point agriculture program, which revolves around supporting local production under the “Made in Albania” label. Central to his platform is the immediate withdrawal from the Open Balkan initiative, which he claims has harmed Albania’s agricultural and livestock sectors.

Among his other pledges are the unification of VAT rates for agricultural processing, direct subsidies for farmers based on production, and ensuring fuel prices are capped at production cost levels.