30 minutes agoFrom the first reading to the final vote: How was the budget adopted 2026 within the week?
Periskopi(5 months ago)
(5 months ago)During this week, the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo completed one of the most important financial processes of the year, adopting the 2026 Budget Bill, worth about 4 billion euros, after considering two separate readings. February 16. First reading approval Monday, February 16, under [...]
February 16. First Read Approval
On Monday, February 16th, under the direction of President Albulen Haxhiu, the Parliament approved the budgetary division bill first. Before the vote, MPs decided by large to avoid procedural deadlines, viewing the situation as emergency for functioning of institutions, reports News. us., broadcast Periscope.
Finance Minister Iron Murati presented the draft budget, stressing that the cost limit amounts to nearly 4 billion euros. According to him, the spending structure includes around 980m euros for salaries and additions, 545m for goods and services, 1,358 billion for subsidies and transfers, as well as 998.4m euros for capital investments, while budget revenues total 3.64 billion euros.
During parliamentary debate, power and opposition clashed over the urgency of prosecution and budget content. In the end, the draft passed the first reading with 66 votes for 32 against and 5 abstentions.
February 20, Final vote and clashes for amendments
On Friday, February 20, the Assembly reviewed the second-read bill. Commission Chairman for Buzhet presented the report with the commission's amendments, while parliamentary groups unveiled their final positions.
Vetevendosje movement backed the bill along with commission amendments, while The PDK and LDK rejected the amendments because they did not receive support. Even the AAK warned that it would not vote on the budget in the absence of involvement in its proposals.
Minister Murati named the document “temporary emergency budgets”, stressing that it intends to ensure normal functioning of the state until the budget review phase, when requirements and other priorities are expected to be addressed.
In conclusion, the bill was approved by 62 votes per and 36 against, without any abstention, making the budget of the Republic of Kosovo official for 2026.
Mayor Haxhiu described the adoption as fulfilling one of the most important tasks for citizens, while the opposition warned continued debate on his review in the coming months. /Periscope/
