While explaining to the MPs the decision to increase salaries of public servants at a time when Kosovo faces parliamentary elections, Prime Minister Hashim Thaci reconfirmed the percentage of pay rise for all affected categories but the decision was categorized by Assembly Speaker Jakup Krasniqi as anti-constitutional.
“With the decision to increase salaries, Prime Minister violated the Constitution. Whereas the budget of Kosovo has been passed by the Assembly, the Prime Minister changed its course without the legislative’s decision. The salaries of the MPs are decided by the Assembly and not the Prime Minister. The increase is unjust because it also deepens differences,” said Assembly Speaker, Jakup Krasniqi.
PM Thaci, in his address to the MPs, spoke of the other increases of salaries during his mandate and said that if the Assembly decides to oppose the decision, he will retract it.
In the ensuing debate, some of MPs praised the decision and others criticized it. Representatives of the opposition said the pay rise is part of Prime Minister’s election marketing.
The decision was also opposed by the head of LDK parliamentary group, Ismet Beqiri, who said the rise should not have happened at this time. At the same time, Visar Ymeri from Vetevendosje said the increase of inflation also lowers the value of the workers’ salaries. Head of AAK parliamentary group, Ardian Gjini, said pay rise ahead of elections is an insult to the citizens.
However, head of PDK group, Adem Grabovci, argued that this is not the first pay rise and added that it will improve the living standard of Kosovo citizens.
