The meeting of the Conference of Chairpersons began this Wednesday, where Minister of Finance Petrit Malaj presented the draft budget for 2026.

The minister emphasized that the main priorities of the new budget are public finances, the growth plan, and the improvement of citizens’ living standards.

“The 2026 draft budget, already approved by the Council of Ministers and presented today at this conference, clearly reflects the priorities of the government’s 2025–2029 program — for sounder public finances, financing the growth plan, inclusive economic development, and above all, our continued commitment to improving the well-being of our citizens, which is the key focus of this document.

With planned public expenditures of 886.7 billion lek, the focus will be on social welfare, investment support for a more modern infrastructure, the advancement of digital systems, the development of green energy, and the enhancement of human capital,” Malaj stated.

Democratic Party MP Jorida Tabaku argued that the calendar for the discussion of the 2026 draft budget could not be approved without the fiscal package, which has not yet been submitted to Parliament.

Minister Malaj explained that the fiscal package will be delivered to Parliament within the week, as it is still under consultation with stakeholders and has been sent to international partners for review.

“The fiscal package is being consulted with interest groups and, primarily, with international partners. We are aligning our tax and customs legislation with EU directives, and it must be reviewed by them as well. It will be submitted to Parliament next week. We do not expect any changes to the fiscal framework, but for procedural reasons, we must obtain the green light first,” Malaj said.

Tabaku countered:

“What are we supposed to approve when the fiscal package hasn’t even arrived yet, even though the draft budget already anticipates revenue increases from it?”

Defense Minister Niko Peleshi responded that the budget presentation is not conditional upon the fiscal package, while Parliamentary Group Leader Taulant Balla added,

“The government may decide not to submit it at all.”

Democratic Party parliamentary leader Gazment Bardhi proposed that the review of the draft budget be postponed until next week, so that the fiscal package can be discussed alongside it.

“The special calendar we approve today should not include only the draft budget review. The regulations require a specific calendar that includes the fiscal package as well. Since the time when the Parliament was led by Gramoz Ruçi, there have only been two instances in the past twelve years when the Conference of Chairpersons allowed the budget presentation without the fiscal package. I invite you to respect the Constitution.

If the Ministry needs one more week to finalize the fiscal package, the calendar can be compressed so we can still meet the approval deadlines within this year. However, the draft budget must be submitted together with the accompanying financial legislation.

The Minister has just confirmed that the package is being prepared. Since it will arrive next week, let us approve it next week,” Bardhi stated.