‘Ministers change, but contracts and bills remain’ — Tabaku: We pay for corruption, and the State Department report confirms it

Democratic Party MP Jorida Tabaku, in the latest video of her “Weekend Corner” segment, declares that corruption is not only a political problem, but a cost that weighs directly on Albanian families, pensioners and businesses.

Referring to the U.S. Department of State’s report on the investment climate, Tabaku says that the concerns about corruption, distorted competition, informality, money laundering, procurement and property insecurity are not merely accusations by the opposition.

“Don’t take my word for it. Read the latest report by the U.S. Department of State. The crisis we talk about, because we live it every day, is described there too,” she says.

According to Tabaku, corruption translates into less money for pensions, families and public services, while inflated and non-transparent contracts create long-term obligations for the budget.

“Ministers change. But the contract remains. The bill remains. And the bill always goes to the citizens,” the DP MP declares.

Tabaku also cites the figures of the American Chamber of Commerce Business Index for 2025. The index fell to 40.34 points out of 100, while monopolies and unfair competition were rated at only 26.11 points. Corruption received 28.67 points.

According to her, these results show the difficulties companies encounter in their dealings with the administration, the courts, regulators and a market where not everyone competes on equal terms.

In the video, Tabaku also dwells on the quality of foreign investment. She argues that Albania needs more American and European capital in technology, manufacturing and sectors that create high-wage jobs, not only investments concentrated in property and construction.

“Serious capital requires courts that work, contracts that are enforced, competition, transparency and rules that do not change depending on the investor’s name,” she stresses.

Tabaku closes her message with a call to move from an economy of favours to an economy of rules, from monopolies to competition and from secret contracts to transparency.

“Capital can enter even an unjust country. But trust is built only in a free country,” she concludes.