Seeking votes, parties make promises to lower taxes, increase wages

TIRANA, April 15 – Political forces on both sides of the spectrum are making pledges to financially help voters deal with the economic crisis.
But there are still questions on whether they can deliver as the government is making continuous pledges for lower taxes, higher salaries and pensions at a time when the country’s economy is at a very weak. The Socialists are accusing the Democrats of leaving behind a destroyed budget for the next government.
In another move the government is offering to cut the used car tax to half and also pardon all the delayed payments, a move that may go up to some 2.5 billion leks. Both political parties are also pledging to cut unemployment. The governing Democratic Party is offering 250,000 new jobs while the opposition Socialists 300,000. (Experts point out they have little chance of achievingg such goals).
On the business side, recently, Bank of Albania governor Ardian Fullani called on the government to help clear bad/loss loans from bank balances, so banks don’t have to pay taxes on money they don’t actually have. The cleaning of the balances of banks will mean that 300 million euros will be considered loss of banks, getting some tax relief from the government. Economy experts support this decision. Some say this measure should have been taken two years ago, while others that the banks should be penalized for this.