The discussion on the draft 2027 budget in the Committee on Internal Affairs and Defense highlighted two different lines: on the one hand, the majority presented the salary increase for the State Police as a success; on the other, questions were raised about new vehicles used during protests and the legal basis for drones which, according to opposition claims, have operated above protesters.
Çuçi speaks of a €250 pay rise for inspectors
Committee chairman Bledi Çuçi presented as one of the main points of the draft budget the salary increase for State Police employees at the basic level. According to him, employees with the rank of inspector will receive €250 more per month.
According to the version presented in the committee, this is the highest increase the police have had at this level. Çuçi also highlighted a 5% increase in the unconditional transfer for local government, as well as the launch of a project for the digitalization of local services.
The majority also seeks increases for the Guard and firefighters
During the meeting, Socialist MP Agron Malaj asked the Interior Ministry and the Finance Ministry to examine the possibility of increasing salaries for the Guard of the Republic and the fire service as well.
He argued that these structures carry direct weight in institutional security and emergency response, while also underlining the need for more support for municipalities. The discussion also mentioned requests to renew the Guard’s fleet, modernize equipment, improve security systems and reconstruct the Guard facility in Vlora.
Kapri asks for answers on four new water cannon trucks
Opportunity Party MP Erald Kapri shifted the debate to the use of State Police vehicles during the latest protests. He sought clarification on four new water vehicles that, according to him, have been added to the existing fleet.
Kapri asked how much the purchase of these water cannon trucks had cost and, if they were not bought with public money, from which country they may have been donated. Up to the discussion reported in the committee, questions and concerns were voiced on this point, but not a detailed public answer on the cost or origin of the vehicles.
Questions also over drones above protesters
At the same meeting, Kapri also raised the issue of drones used by police during gatherings. According to his claims, these drones flew above protesters and were also used to drop tear gas.
He asked on what legal basis such a practice had been carried out and whether responsibility had been taken for the incidents he mentioned, when two drones, according to the statement made in the committee, fell on protesters. These claims were raised as a political concern and a demand for transparency over the use of force and technological means in the management of protests.
The debate in the committee showed once again that the public order budget is not being discussed only as a matter of salaries, but also as a matter of priorities, transparency and oversight of the means used in the name of public security.
While the government emphasizes the increase for police and local financing, questions about spending, equipment and the legal limits of police intervention in protests still remain without a full public explanation.