In a recent statement from prison, former Albanian President Ilir Meta criticized the government’s treatment of pensioners, branding them “the most discriminated group in the country.” He accused Prime Minister Edi Rama of neglecting pension reforms during his 11 years in power, leading to increased hardship for the elderly.
“Today, pensioners are the most excluded, impoverished, and discriminated social group in society,” Meta said. He dismissed the government’s recent promises of a 4.1% pension indexation and a year-end bonus as “heartless mockery,” arguing that they do little to alleviate the struggles of Albania’s 791,000 pensioners. “No clearer indicator than pensions shows the damage Edi Rama and the Socialist Party have inflicted on Albanian finances,” he added.
Meta contended that pension increases should match the inflation rate for food items, which he stated should be at least 9.4%. He emphasized that pensions should also reflect the country’s 2023 economic growth of 3.4%. “The government owes each pensioner an average of 9,546 leks per month in urban areas and 5,752 leks in rural areas due to inadequate indexing and missed economic growth adjustments,” he noted.
Urging the government to implement a significant pension overhaul, Meta called for a cumulative 84% increase by the end of 2024 compared to 2013 levels. “This means that the average pension in urban areas should be 28,638 leks per month, while it currently stands at 19,092 leks,” he explained.
“This is the truth, and here you see Prime Minister Rama’s lies,” Meta concluded.
Currently under arrest and facing multiple criminal charges, Meta has served in government for nearly three decades, often switching political affiliations. His statements elicit mixed reactions, as his long tenure in public service is accompanied by allegations of corruption, presenting a complex figure for both critics and supporters.
