Pensioners sí receive increased pensions

The Kosovo government on Friday afternoon, with three days late, has managed to secure the money to pay 16 categories of pensions that exist in Kosovo, KTV reports.

KTV sources within the government have said the money was taken from unfinished projects on various budgetary lines by 2018.

But pensioners did not receive pensions with increases of between 15 and 30%, as was decided.

At the Democratic Institute of Kosovo, they estimate that withdrawing money from last year's budget without a decision is not in accordance with the law.

In addition to January, problems are expected to occur even next month, as the government is not sure the budget could be passed by 31 January in the Assembly.

At the January 11th meeting, the government has submitted the application to the Parliament for extension of last year's budgetary division, but the same has yet to be adopted as a result of the failure to start work by the Kosovo Assembly.

Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj has not indicated when the budget vote will take place.

The Haradinaj government has also remained with a condition not met by the Social Democratic Party to secure votes for the budget, which is the dismissal of Agriculture Minister Nenad Ricalo.

Even so, with budgetary divisions enabled through the Public Finance Management Law, the government can only carry out wage expenses.

Until the budget extension from 2018, it can only take place until March.