In the first five months of 2025, the Albanian Parliament has spent over 2.2 million euros to cover the salaries and other benefits of 140 MPs. This amount includes the basic monthly salaries, but also a number of other benefits that come with their duties.
A2 CNN journalist Arestina Skënderi reported on Dita Jonë what MPs have spent the most on in these 5 months; from fuel to telephone expenses, per diems or housing.
The official monthly salary of a deputy in Albania, after the increase made in May 2023, is 310,000 lek (about 3,100 euros). But this is only the base. In addition, a deputy receives about 1,500 per month in the form of reimbursements and allowances for various functions.
Monthly expenses include:
- Fuel, which is estimated at between 30,000 and 40,000 lek per month (around 300–400 euros).
- Telephone expenses reimbursed by the Assembly, reaching up to 200 euros per month for some MPs, especially the chairmen of parliamentary committees.
- Per diems for domestic travel, which can go up to 150,000 lek per month (about 1,500 euros), depending on activities and participation in committees or visits to electoral zones.
- For MPs who do not have a residence in Tirana, the Parliament covers up to 35,000 lek per month for rent. Currently, there are 21 MPs who benefit from this subsidy.
This means that, in total, the real monthly cost for an MP ranges from 3,600 to over 4,000 euros, depending on the benefits he declares and seeks to reimburse.
However, there are exceptions. Some MPs, such as Sali Berisha and Lulzim Basha, have stated that since September 2024 they have not received any additional allowances beyond their basic salary, refusing fuel, rent and per diems. Even MPs such as Fatmir Xhafaj, Lindita Nikolla, Agron Shehaj, Bujar Leskaj and Pandeli Majko appear to have been cautious about additional expenses, not submitting invoices for per diems or travel.
According to sources from the Parliament administration, figures such as Klotilda Bushka (Laws Committee), Mimi Kodheli (Foreign Policy Committee), Jorida Tabaku (Economy Committee), Ina Zhupa and Zheni Gjergji benefit from up to 20,000 lek per month for telephone expenses, as well as increased per diem due to commitments in committees or international meetings.
Meanwhile, the Parliament continues to cover the rent for 21 MPs who have declared that they do not have a home in Tirana. Among them are figures such as Niko Peleshi, Nusret Avdulla, Saimir Korreshi, Greta Bardeli and Antoneta Dhima.
According to the A2 CNN journalist, the concern lies in the fact that there is no mechanism to verify the veracity of their statements.
"If it turns out that they own apartments in Tirana, benefiting from the rent from public funds would constitute a serious legal violation," journalist Arestina Skënderi reported.
A special case is that of MP Agron Gjekmarkaj, who turns out to be one of the most "modest" in terms of telephone usage, with monthly expenses ranging from 2,000 to 7,000 lek, much less than his colleagues who reach 17,000 to 20,000 lek per month.
"While Albania faces major economic challenges, the cost of maintaining the political class continues to be high and often unjustified - making it necessary to review benefit schemes and establish stricter transparency and control criteria," concludes the A2 CNN journalist. (A2 Televizion)
A2 CNN Livestream
MUND TE LEXONI GJITHASHTU
