This is the news from Tuesday, 22 April.
Less than two weeks into the election campaign for the 11 May vote, SPAK, the country’s special prosecutor for crime and corruption, has announced it is investigating 18 cases of alleged electoral crimes. Out of these, five were initiated by prosecutors themselves, without the need for citizen denunciations. The figures were made public by SPAK in response to a request for information from the Democratic Party. While none have led to criminal proceedings yet, they are still under consideration and investigation. SPAK is empowered to investigate electoral crimes, including active and passive corruption, when an offence is committed by a high-ranking official or within a structured criminal group.
The head of the Procurement Commission, Jonaid Myzyri, was summoned again this Tuesday to the SPAK Special Prosecutor’s Office. The Senior Public Tenders Officer is currently under investigation regarding the tendering procedures carried out for several projects,, and Myzyri is being investigated for abuse of office and favouritism.
Prime Minister and leader of the Socialist Party, Edi Rama, promised an increase in pensions in a meeting with pensioners in Gjirokastër. He said the minimum pension will be EUR 200 a month, regardless of how many years someone has worked, and with an average of EUR 400 for those who have paid up social security contributions. Rama said that the age for free health checks will also be increased. Currently, citizens aged 70 and older can undergo a free health check. The pledge came after several protests by pensioners in 2024, who called for higher pensions and a better quality of life.
In a meeting with producer associations in the country, Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha promised stricter supervision and standards when it comes to food safety. Given some recent scandals where food has been found to be contaminated or containing high levels of pesticides, Berisha said there will be tougher fines for businesses, as well as a more modern laboratory for testing.
