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From 25 March 2021 until the evening of 23 April, political parties in Albania begin their election campaign, a campaign that, unlike any other year, is this time severely constrained by the COVID-19 pandemic.
So far, the country’s two main parties, the Socialist Party (SP) and the Democratic Party (DP), have announced the following electoral promises:
The Socialist Party promises for 2021-2025:
- An approximately 26.7-33.3% increase in the minimum wage, from 30,000 lek/month to 38,000-40,000 lek/month;
- Public administration pay rises of up to 30%, targeting an approximately 18.1% increase in the average wage, from 72,000 lek/month to 85,000 lek/month;
- A 40% pay rise for teachers and doctors;
- Taxes on wages: 0 for minimum wages; 13% for wages of 40,000-250,000 lek/month; 23% for wages above 250,000 lek/month; 24.5% in social insurance contributions;
- Taxes for small businesses with turnover of up to 14 million lek/year: 0 profit tax and 0 VAT until 2029;
- Taxes for large businesses: 15% profit tax; 20% VAT;
- Grants of 5 thousand euros for emigrants who return and start businesses in Albania;
- A fund 5 times larger to support start-ups;
The Democratic Party, with the “Alliance for Change”, promises for 2021-2025:
- A 20% increase in the minimum wage, from 30,000 lek/month to 36,000 lek/month;
- Pay rises of 50-60% for teachers; wages of up to 700-1,200 euros for nurses and doctors;
- Pension increases at twice the annual rate of inflation, no less than 5% each year;
- Taxes on wages: 9% income tax for wages above 30,000 lek/month; 18% in social insurance contributions (9% employer/9% employee);
- Taxes for small businesses: 0.5% profit tax; 0 VAT;
- Taxes for large businesses: 9% profit tax; 9% VAT;
- A fund of 100 million euros for farmers’ subsidies each year;
- Doubling economic assistance for families in need;
- A bonus of 180,000 lek for babies, paid in monthly instalments of 3,000 lek/month, for up to the first 5 years of life;
- A reduction of 24 lek/l in fuel prices by abolishing taxes on fuel;
- Lower electricity prices by reinstating the consumption band of up to 300 kWh/month;
- Covering tuition fees for 90% of students;
- Creating 110,000 jobs;
- Soft loans with 0% interest (the state covers the interest) for 5,000 young couples each year;
* This article was reviewed and corrected on 8 October 2026.