Members of the Albanian Parliament receive a net basic salary of around 2,250 euros per month, a salary that is significantly increased through a series of additional benefits: bonuses for participation in committees, 170 euros per month for a telephone, 300–400 euros for fuel, as well as per diems for domestic and international travel.
In total, a legislator's monthly income easily exceeds 3,500 euros. But even this is not enough.
Data provided by VNA to the Albanian Parliament shows that, despite the salary increase voted for in the previous legislature, MPs use every legal space to benefit even more from public money.
Rent with taxpayers' money
Official documents show that 11 MPs, including the Speaker of the Assembly, Niko Peleshi, have received rent payments from the state budget for the month of October.
The list is dominated by Socialist Party MPs, including Zeqine Çaushi, but it also includes two Democratic Party MPs, who also use public funds for their housing in Tirana.
Rent payments (October)
1. Antoneta Dhima (SP) – €350
2. Fadil Nasufi (SP) – €350
3. Agron Gjekmarkaj (PD) – €350
4. Hatixhe Konomi (SP) – €350
5. Bledi Çomo (SP) – €116
6. Erjo Mile (SP) – €350
7. Erjona Ismaili (SP) – €290
8. Genti Lakollari (SP) – €300
9. Ledina Alolli (PD) – €210
10. Ramion Kurti (SP) – €338
11. Zeqine Çaushi (SP) – €361
Diplomatic passports, but not with their own pockets
Meanwhile, 10 new MPs have been provided with diplomatic passports, but here too the expense was not covered by the beneficiaries themselves. The 75 euro voucher for each passport was reimbursed by the Albanian Parliament.
Refund of diplomatic passports (October)
1. Ani Dyrmishi
2. Arjan Ndoja
3. Enno Bozdo
4. Erjo Mile
5. Kiduina Zaka
6. Klevis Balliu
7. Marjana Koçeku
8. Skënder Pashaj
9. Zeqine Çaushi
10. Zija Ismailaj
How much did the deputies cost us in just one month?
According to VNA data, for the month of October alone, not including basic salaries, MPs' expenses were:
• Fuel: 44,000 euros
• Telephony: 19,000 euros
• Travel allowance: 139,000 euros
• Rent: 4,000 euros
• Diplomatic passport: 750 euros
In total, hundreds of thousands of euros are spent each month on privileges that go beyond salary, in a country where most citizens can barely afford rent, fuel, and basic bills.
