“Over 150 thousand euros a month for ex-Deputees

It's about the so-called transitional <x0);x1> -- a benefit that guarantees ex-deputees monthly salary for a period of up to 12 months after the mandate ends -- even if they have not been re-elected and they no longer exercise any parliamentary function.

A Benefit That Cost the State Millions

Only from the last legislature ʹ which was dedicated on February 11th and was distributed on April 28th an ex-Deputes could cost the state budget about 23 thousand euros per year, without working at all in the Assembly.

Currently, the legislative institution is not functional é is awaiting the constitutionalisation based on results stemming from the June 7th early parliamentary elections, which have not yet been certified.

Of the total number of 120 deputies, in May, 80 of them have applied for the transitional salary of 1.914 euros, according to data provided by the Kosovo Assembly.

This translates to around 153 thousand euros per month from the state budget, or approximately twom euros annually.

Legally guaranteed, controversial by the ethical aspect

The transitional salary is guaranteed by law, despite the extension of the MP's mandate or the fact that some no longer exercise that position.

Under the MP's Law for Rights and Responsibilities, former deputists have the right to receive this compensation until they begin to realise revenue from another source or retirement, or 12 months' maximum.

Organisations monitoring the work of the Parliament say the last tenth legislature in a row has been ineffective.

According to the Kosovo Institute for Justice (IKD), during the February-April period, the Assembly has held 24 sessions, exceptional majority, with quick decision-making and no substantial debate.

IKD legal researcher Melos Kolshi says that, although the transitional salary is legal, it creates a clear gap between law and public ethics.

According to him, the problem lies in the almost automatic application of that right, in a reality where citizens face unemployment, increased cost of living, and low wages.

He stresses that responsibility is not only legal but also moral, underlining that each former delegation should assess for itself whether it really needs this compensation.

“ Periscope.

“Unreasonable in an economy with challenges”

Economically, the scheme is seen even more critical.

Former Kosovo Central Bank Governor Fehmi Mehmeti considers this payment unreasonable in the country's current economic conditions.

According to him, although its goal is to facilitate the transition of former delegations, the cost of about two million euros a year is hard to justify in an economy with inflation and unemployment.

“2m euros could be directed into education, health, support for youth, student scholarships or employment programmes”, Mehmeti says.

According to the International Monetary Fund, economic activity in Kosovo has slowed, while inflation has marked growth over the past year.

The Kosovo Statistics Agency's data shows that inflation in May has reached 6.8 per cent, driven mainly by rising prices of food products.

The economy has seen 5.4 percent growth in the first quarter of this year, but according to experts, single growth is not enough to significantly improve the welfare of citizens.

Unemployment remains at 10.9 per cent, while the average monthly salary is 713 euros.

Law Review Calls

Mehmet and Kolshi agree that the legal base must be revised without removing this right.

According to Kolshi, the problem is not the existence of a transitional salary, but the way it's designed.

It proposes that the 12-month period be revised, especially when parliamentary mandates in practice may last much less.

A more flexible model, according to him, could be more fair and proportional to the actual length of the mandate.

A 12-month fixed period may not always be justified, so a shorter term or a gradual model that reduces compensation over time may not always be justified, says Kolshi.

Mehmeti suggests limiting the transitional wage to 3 to 6 months, or closer to the duration of the parliamentary service.

This would increase accountability and transparency in the use of taxpayers' money... because, in recent years, election cycles have been frequented, and therefore payments”, he points out.

A political system with frequent election cycles

During just one and a half last year, Kosovo has held three parties of parliamentary elections -- an indicator of political instability that directly affects the state's financial burden.

Following the June 7th elections, the Central Election Commission is expected to announce the final results by the end of the month, while the new Assembly is expected to be under way.

Partition of mandates in Kosovo Assembly after June 7th elections

According to preliminary results, the Vetevendosje Movement has won 53 seats, the Democratic Party of Kosovo 22, the Democratic League of Kosovo 18 and the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo 7.

Twenty seats are guaranteed for minority communities ten for Serbs, ten for others.

Of the recent legislature, 36 MPs have remained outside the Assembly, but the final number of transitional salary beneficiaries will be known only after the government's formation, as some MPs are expected to be appointed ministers and release mandates. /Periscope