Funds for the reconstruction after the earthquake, the income tax law and the economic situation cause strong debates in the Assembly, the opposition accuses the government of lack of transparency and depopulation of the country

Amid debates, the Parliament of Albania approved the income tax law during today's plenary session. 70 deputies have voted in favor of this law, while the amendment of the deputy of the Democratic Party, Jorida Tabaku, for changes in the law, which provided for zero tax for self-employed professionals starting from 2025, was rejected. While the law approved in today's session, foresees the entry effective tax for the self-employed and entities in January 2024. While for commercial individuals with gross income up to ALL 14 million per year, the 0% income tax rate will be applied until December 31, 2029. In the law of new, taxable personal income is classified into 3 categories: income from employment; business income; investment income. Personal income according to the 3 groups above, is expected to be taxed: the first two 4 groups (employment income and business income) according to a progressive system. Specifically, employment income will be progressively taxed at 13% and 23% rates, while business income will be progressively taxed at 15% and 23% rates. Meanwhile, the third group (income from investments or passive capital) will be taxed at the 15% tax rate, while dividends are taxed at the 8% tax rate. Corporate income tax has a tax rate of 15%. During the session, an interview was held between the deputy of the Democratic Party, Jorida Tabaku, and the Minister of Economy and Finance, Delina Ibrahimaj. The democratic deputy accused the government of not showing transparency regarding the funds received and grants after the earthquake. But the Minister of Finance Delina Ibrahimaj said that it is not true that there was no transparency about the use of funds and that every citizen can get information. There was also a debate between Berisha and socialist MPs Balla and Gogu regarding the accusations that the former prime minister had about the mayor of Tirana. Also, Berisha accused the government of depopulating the country. On the other hand, MP Ervin Salianji mocked the Prime Minister Edi Rama and the Minister of the Interior, Bledi Çuçi on the security situation in the country after the latest events. Berisha accused the government of depopulating the country. On the other hand, MP Ervin Salianji mocked the Prime Minister Edi Rama and the Minister of the Interior, Bledi Çuçi on the security situation in the country after the latest events. Berisha accused the government of depopulating the country. On the other hand, MP Ervin Salianji mocked the Prime Minister Edi Rama and the Minister of the Interior, Bledi Çuçi on the security situation in the country after the latest events.

Reconstruction funds

Thus, initially it was the deputy of the Democratic Party, Jorida Tabaku, who called the Minister of Economy and Finance, Delina Ibrahimi, for questioning. Tabaku claims that the government has not shown transparency. She even emphasized that there is no explanation regarding the received funds and grants after the earthquake. "In 2019, a tragic earthquake struck the country and 51 Albanians tragically lost their lives while over 3,000 others were injured. The Albanian government participated at the beginning of 2020 in a donor conference organized by the European Union and not only to benefit an amount of 1.15 billion euros, of which 295 million euros in the form of grants and 853 million euros in the form of soft loans. After the disaster, the Albanian government established the Ministry of Reconstruction to facilitate the reconstruction process. As we speak, neither the Ministry of Reconstruction nor the Ministry of Finance and Economy have a clear report of costs and construction in the field of reconstruction. Today, we tell the Albanians that the promised process of completing the reconstruction is a lie", stated Tabaku. Then, Minister Ibrahimi took the floor, who said that the reconstruction continues at a fast pace, while asserting that all the reconstruction funds are tendered and are now subject to KLSH. Meanwhile, according to the minister, there is no arrears from the reconstruction funds. The minister said that it is not true that there was no transparency about the use of funds. Tabaku declared. Then, Minister Ibrahimi took the floor, who said that the reconstruction continues at a fast pace, while asserting that all the reconstruction funds are tendered and are now subject to KLSH. Meanwhile, according to the minister, there is no arrears from the reconstruction funds. The minister said that it is not true that there was no transparency about the use of funds. Tabaku declared. Then, Minister Ibrahimi took the floor, who said that the reconstruction continues at a fast pace, while asserting that all the reconstruction funds are tendered and are now subject to KLSH. Meanwhile, according to the minister, there is no arrears from the reconstruction funds. The minister said that it is not true that there was no transparency about the use of funds.

Shpopullimi

Ndërkohë ish-kryeministri Sali Berisha akuzoi dje qeverinë se po kalon ligjin për ‘Tatimin mbi të ardhurat’ që do të godasë profesionet e lira. Sipas Berishës, qeveria ka synim t’i largojë shqiptarët nga Shqipëria. “Në kuadrin e të këqijave që mbillni çdo ditë në këtë vend, kjo është e keqe që po harrohet se kaloni këtu në Parlament një ligj ndëshkues për profesionet e lira. Një ligj i cili krijon kushte të kalkulueshme për shpopullimin e Shqipërisë. Krijimi i kushteve të kalkulueshme për shpopullim vlerësohet si akt genocidal dhe ju vijoni serialin, keni përzënë në 8 vite mbi 35% të shqiptarëve por s’jeni të ngopur dhe tani i jepni goditjen fatale shtresës së mesme. Harroni që qytetarët kanë nevojë jetike për stomatologun, për kontabilistin, për avokatin, për të gjithë ata që quhen profesione të lira dhe ju me një të rënë të lapsit doni t’i përzini nga Shqipëria. Nuk është këtu ai ministri i familjes. Në moton kokën njëri-tjetrin, licencë për vrasjen, rendi në duart e krimit, policia nuk ekziston, kjo është siguria dhe kushtet për largimin e shqiptarëve”, deklaroi Berisha.