The new fiscal package is becoming another front in the political clash. Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha came out openly against the changes the government is seeking, presenting them as an additional burden on vulnerable groups, small businesses and the middle class, while warning of consequences for prices, investment and employment.
Accusations against the new fiscal package
During a conversation with citizens, Berisha described the government’s fiscal package as a heavy economic blow. According to him, the tax changes are not simply a technical revision of the system, but measures that will directly weigh on low-income families, small businesses and the middle class.
He claimed that the increase in budget revenues sought by the government will not translate into relief for citizens, but into more fiscal pressure and poverty. Along these lines, the opposition is presenting the package as another test of how the government is expanding the burden on the real economy.
VAT, prices and the risk of bankruptcy
One of the points Berisha focused on most was the inclusion of small shops in the VAT scheme. According to him, around 18,000 small businesses risk bankruptcy once the planned changes enter into force.
He also opposed the increase in VAT for liberal professions to 21%, claiming that this will make services more expensive for citizens and push specialists and professionals to leave the country. Berisha also said that including small businesses in the VAT scheme could be reflected in higher prices for consumers, further burdening pensioners and vulnerable groups.
Dividend tax and the signal to investors
Berisha also criticized the increase in the dividend tax from 8% to 15%, claiming that this measure sends a negative signal for foreign investment. According to him, such an increase makes the fiscal climate less attractive and discourages foreign capital in an economy that has long faced uncertainty and a lack of confidence.
In the same appearance, he presented some of the Democratic Party’s pledges, saying that if it comes to power there will be no tax above 12.5%, including VAT. He also mentioned removing the circulation tax from fuel and reducing the burden on liberal professions.
Clash over the protests and distance from party symbols
The Democratic Party leader also commented on the internal debates and criticism after Democrats left the protest, where there were tensions and opposition MPs were not allowed to join the gathering at the Ministry of Education.
Berisha defended the DP’s choice to support civic protests without party symbols, arguing that the presence of party flags would create divisions among participants. He insisted that Democrats have been present in support of the protest, but that it is not led by the Democratic Party.
In his reaction, Berisha also attacked some of the critical voices within the protest, portraying them as small groups that, according to him, aim to block participation and dictate a political stance toward the opposition.
Accusations against SPAK
Finally, Berisha also touched on the issue of justice, questioning the independence of SPAK. According to his version, the structure does not function free from government influence and investigations into politics should be carried out without double standards.
However, he declared that the Democratic Party supports the independent functioning of the justice system, considering this a key issue for the country. The statement comes in a climate in which the relationship between politics and justice institutions remains one of the most debated points in public life.
Berisha’s appearance brings together in a single package opposition to the government’s fiscal policy, the clash over the protests and attacks on the justice system. Beyond the political rhetoric, at the center remains the debate over the real burden the new measures may bring for businesses, consumers and the investment climate.