In Albania, the contrast between those in power and those scraping by has never been starker. While parliamentarians and mayors have awarded themselves hefty pay raises—doubling their salaries to earn 10 or even 15 times more than the average pensioner—the country’s most vulnerable citizens are left with crumbs. Pensioners, who form a crucial backbone in any society, have been granted a mere €150 annual bonus. That’s €12.50 a month—barely enough to buy 10 loaves of bread.
This glaring disparity raises serious questions about the so-called economic boom and the government’s priorities. If Albania’s economy is growing and the tourism industry is thriving, why are the benefits of this progress failing to reach the pensioners who rely on the state to survive? A €150 bonus, touted as a gesture of goodwill, feels more like an insult when juxtaposed with the lavish raises of public officials. It’s a reminder that for some, prosperity is a given, while for others, it’s a pipe dream.
The government’s justification for this disparity is hard to swallow. Leaders boast about “unprecedented growth” while pensioners face rising living costs, unaffordable healthcare, and growing food insecurity. The bonus translates to just over €1 a week—hardly a lifeline for those who need it most.
Ironically, the government seems to view pensioners as a secure voting bloc, assuming their loyalty at the polls. But pensioners are not blind to the inequities around them. They see politicians granting themselves raises while dismissing the needs of the elderly with token gestures. This time, they might surprise the government.
Pensioners have the power to make their voices heard, and they may finally decide to reject this patronizing approach. After all, leadership is about serving the people, not exploiting their vulnerability. If the government truly cared about equitable growth, pensioners wouldn’t be left counting crumbs while officials count their bonuses.
Mr. Prime Minister, if €150 a year is your answer to rising inequality, it’s time to reevaluate your leadership. Prosperity that only benefits the powerful is not progress—it’s a failure of governance. Perhaps it’s time for a government that prioritizes people over privilege.