Opposition leader proposes the introduction of the minimum essential standard of living

Opposition leader, Sali Berisha declared today that the government's decision to adjust pensions by 8% in order to maintain their value against increases in the cost of living, does not help them at all.

At a press conference on Monday, Berisha said food in Albania is as expensive as food products in Germany and more expensive than Greece or Italy, adding that the promised indexation of pensions is not enough to afford the rising costs of living.

The former PM said the only solution is to introduce a minimum essential standard of living of 200 euros a month, something which has been proposed by democrats  a few months ago.  According to him, if corruption is fought and abuses with state funds are prevented, then the introduction of the minimum essential standard of living is possible.

Democrats led by Sali Berisha have so far submitted several draft-laws to parliament starting with the introduction of the minimum essential standard of living to the removal of the prescribed period when it comes to corruption cases involving former prime ministers, but none of these proposals has been discussed by MPs.