Draft Budget 2026 approved in principle - With 83 votes of the majority. Article-by-article discussion begins in committees
In a marathon session that lasted about 16 hours, the Assembly approved in principle the 2026 draft budget with 83 votes from majority MPs, while the 32 opposition MPs present voted against.
Meanwhile, several other draft laws were also approved during the session, more specifically Tax Procedures, Value Added Tax, Income Tax, Local Tax System, Invoice and Circulation Monitoring, Fiscal Peace Agreement, Revaluation of Real Estate, and Cancellation and Extinction of Liabilities.
This package foresees a record budget of around 886 billion lek, without new taxes, will be available to institutions for services, with a focus on health, education, pensions, public investments, wage increases and strengthening defense, while the opposition has considered the allocation of funds unfair and deepening inequalities. On the other hand, the government describes the budget as a welfare package, emphasizing the further increase in wages in the administration, priority sectors and the chain effect on increasing consumption and formalizing the economy.
After approval in principle, the draft budget returns to the parliamentary committees, where it will be reviewed article by article and proposed amendments to the main expenditure and investment items will be discussed.
After possible changes in the parliamentary committees, the 2026 draft budget will be approved in plenary session on December 11.
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