Posted On: 02/02/2010

The Socialist Party of Albania has denounced the government, headed by the Prime Minister Sali Berisha, which regardless the economic crisis is spending everyday more in order to reward its allies with vice-minister posts. MP Erion Braçe said this bunch of people is very expensive for the Albanians in these times of crisis.  

“In the conditions of the economic crisis which is being deteriorated hour after hour by affecting one family per hour;

In the conditions when as result of this crisis:

· the price of food and agricultural products are rising;

· the price for vital services: electricity and water supply, healthcare, education, housing is rising;

· the taxes imposed to the citizens and the businesses are rising;

· the Albanian currency is devaluating;

· the basic state functions are failing by deepening the crisis and affecting the Albanian families and the businesses in the country. 

The Government of Prime Minister Sali Berisha has considerably increased the expenditures. The governmental expenditures for ministers and vice-ministers are increasing. 

The Government has concluded the nomination of vice-ministers by fulfilling politically the reward agreement that has shared the government, the administration, the political level and now the public level in percentage. Due to this decision-making we have today 35 vice-ministers, more than in every previous government since 1912. This is a structure composed by a bunch of political appointees, who are incompetent and yes-men, but it costs a lot and is paid by the Albanian citizens through the crisis’ qindarka - 140 million lekë per month. 1,6 milliard lekë per year (salaries, insurances, per diem, assistants, advisors, cars’ expenses, phone expenses) for these 35 persons.  

If we calculate the expenditure per month, it is equal to:

- economic assistance to 7000 unemployed.

- minimal pension payment in the city to 1272 pensioners.

- minimal pension payment in the village to 2544 pensioners.

To all Albanians who pay for these 35 vice-ministers, the calculation is as following:

- 4.666.666 lekë per day.

- 194.444 lekë per hour.

- 3.240 per minute.

So, the Albanians pay today 2.3 Euros per minute only for 35 vice-ministers, plus other Euros paid for 16 ministers that do not serve to the citizens. This is the bill the Albanians are paying through their poverty!