Albanian opposition leader plans protests over 2025 budget approval

TIRANA, November 11, 2024 – Sali Berisha, leader of Albania's opposition Democratic Party, has vowed to lead protests around the parliament on the day the 2025 national budget is approved. Berisha sharply criticized the proposed budget, calling it the "biggest robbery of the year" and pledged that citizens, pensioners, farmers, the unemployed, and small business owners would protest to express their dissatisfaction.

Berisha, speaking to the media, said his party’s main priority is the economy of ordinary citizens. He promised that if the opposition takes power, a much larger share of the national budget will be dedicated to supporting farmers, a group he claims has been neglected for too long.

"3.5 percent of the budget will go to agricultural subsidies," Berisha said. "We will ensure that Albanian farmers get far more than they currently receive—many times more."