Budget Blockade in Kosovo - Unions Warn of Serious Consequences for Employees, Pensioners
Public sector workers' unions have warned of serious consequences for workers and citizens if political parties do not reach an agreement on approving the budget for next year or extending the budget for the first three months of the year.
The failure to pass the 2026 budget law, in addition to 100,000 employees in public institutions, leaves 210,000 pensioners, over 16,000 beneficiaries of social schemes, 21,000 people with disabilities, 37,000 veterans, and over 12,000 families of martyrs and invalids without income.
The possibility of early elections without the approval of the 2026 budget has increased fears among public sector employees. Representatives of unions in key sectors of the country, health, education, public administration and police, say that in the event of an institutional blockade, the functioning of basic services could be compromised.
Patients risk being left without essential medicines, while around 14,000 healthcare workers could be left without salaries. “The healthcare sector is the hardest hit, as it could be left without regular funding for medicines, and hospitals could face a shortage of materials,” say representatives of this sector.
The consequences would also be felt by over 30,000 education workers, whose salaries are their only source of income. In the absence of budget approval, the salaries of over 11,000 police officers are also at risk.
Political parties have not given any signals about reaching an agreement that would postpone the adoption of the 2026 budget or extend the current budget deadline by three months.
Unlike other days, the Democratic League of Kosovo has expressed its willingness to approve the continuation of the budget if the country goes to elections. While the Vetëvendosje Movement has offered a solution to avoid the budget blockage, proposing Glauk Konjufca as a candidate for prime minister.
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