Albania's parliament basically approves budget for 2023

Albania's Parliament has approved in principle 76 pro-bull votes for 2023. Against the 2023 budget, 41 opposition deputies voted and there was no abstention.

The electronic board reflects 40 votes against, as 1 opposition MP voted by card because of a technical defect.

The 2023 budget was voted in principle by Parliament along with the fiscal package. Discussions about the 2023 budget lay in two days -- Wednesday and Thursday -- due to the long list of deputies who would keep their word.

The debate began Wednesday between Prime Minister Edi Rama and opposition deputies. The latter oppose the government's 2023 budget, viewing it as stealing citizens.

But Prime Minister Edi Rama says this budget is the largest ever and is double the 2013 budget.

Rama says this budget will go to the protection of Albanian families and small businesses, lower the debt and raise wages and pensions by bearing the weight of electricity prices. It is also predicted that the minimum wage will rise again and reach the value of 360 thousand old lekes.

Parliament's 2-day marathon was to discuss and in principle vote the 2023 budget, while in later parliamentary sessions there will also be article discussion on the budget. /tvclean.al/