During today's meeting of the Economy Committee, where the draft budget for 2026 was discussed, Lëvizja Bashke MP, Redi Muçi, asked the Minister of Economy, Petrit Malaj, whether pensioners will receive a bonus at the end of next year.
Minister Malaj responded that such a bonus is not foreseen in the draft budget for 2026, but added that its granting may depend on the performance of the economy.
"Depending on economic growth, we will decide whether to give a year-end bonus in 2026. It is not foreseen in the draft budget, but by normative act, if economic growth justifies it, we will give the bonus," Malaj declared.
So in short, bonuses for pensioners next year are not foreseen in the draft budget. But the minister's statement refutes the prime minister's propaganda for increasing pensions during 2026. In short, Rama's promise that pensions will increase every month is simply the distribution of the bonus that pensioners will receive at the end of the year, presenting it as a real monthly increase in pensions, while the draft budget does not foresee bonuses.
