Germany’s scandal, still a dream in Albania

TIRANA, July 30 – The international and German media reported that Germany’s health minister had embarrassed her party ahead of national elections by bringing her official Mercedes and chauffeur on vacation in Spain, where the 100,000 euro car was stolen.
Health Minister Ulla Schmidt’s move generated toe-curling headlines for the center-left Social Democrats, who dropped her from their campaign team Wednesday.
Opposition parties and taxpayer groups have asked whether it was proper or cost-effective for Schmidt, who flew to Spain, to have her chauffeur drive the car 2,400 kilometers to Alicante. Newspapers have dubbed Schmidt “Minister Shameless” and “S-Class Ulla,” after the model of the Mercedes.
Schmidt’s ministry says ministers are entitled to an official car with a driver at all times, at home and abroad. It has argued that there were security arguments in favor of using the car and that Schmidt had some official business in Spain.
Schmidt, 60, says she logs private use of the car and settles the costs separately.
That is Germany.
What about Albania?!
Do our ministers and top officials use their public car for personal trips? Sure yes. Sure none could possibly turn such an idea down.
Four years ago we heard the then-new government first deciding not to let lawmakers use of a car. That was soon ‘arranged’, that is, the lawmakers do use the public cars, very nice ones like four-wheel drivers W Touareg, Hyundai or any other.
They and also all government offices have not only good cars but also new and luxurious ones.
Do the Albanian citizens know that very often what they are asking, like some tens of millions of leks for rehabilitating a short route or road, is equal to one luxurious car of a top official.
Do they know how much fuel is spent, and not only at election times?
Do they know how much the government pays to repair such cars?
Do they know how much could all these many drivers get paid?
Do they knowſ
The answer is, NO! They know nothing and can do nothing.
Albania is ironically trying to fulfill all the requests to soon first get the visa-free regime and then become a European Union member. But Albania is still the poorest in Europe, if we do not include Moldova in the continent.
What one sees in its streets, the luxurious Mercedes or BMW and so on, may soon oppose that idea.