Tabaku: Corruption Is the Hidden Tax Every Albanian Pays — When Tenders Are Inflated, the Citizen Picks Up the Tab

Democratic Party MP Jorida Tabaku put corruption at the center of her “Weekend Corner,” linking it directly to the rising cost of living, the weakening of the economy and the loss of jobs.

According to Tabaku, corruption is not some phenomenon distant from citizens’ daily lives, but a bill paid every month by Albanian families and businesses.

“When a tender is inflated, the citizen pays the difference. When a contract is awarded to a friend instead of the best company, the honest entrepreneur loses. When public money goes to the clients of power, it is missing for pensions, schools, healthcare and support for production,” Tabaku declared.

She described corruption as the “hidden tax” that takes a share of Albanians’ income every day.

The Democratic MP also cited rising prices as an indicator. Referring to INSTAT data, she said that in December 2025 the general price level was 20.9 percent higher than in December 2020, while food and non-alcoholic beverage prices had risen by 35.6 percent.

“Even when annual inflation slows, prices do not go back. They remain at the new level, while the family keeps paying the difference every day,” Tabaku said.

According to her, families’ hardships are accompanied by weakening production and exports. Tabaku stated that exports of goods fell from about 430 billion lekë in 2023 to 346 billion lekë in 2025, while the trade deficit reached 541 billion lekë.

The focus of her analysis was the textile and footwear industry, whose exports, according to the figures she presented, fell by about 22.4 billion lekë within two years. Tabaku warned that behind these indicators stand thousands of jobs, mainly of women and families in areas where other employment opportunities are limited.

She assessed that the depreciation of the euro has been an additional blow to Albanian exporters, who earn in euros but pay wages, energy, insurance and part of production costs in lekë.

Tabaku also raised questions about the creation and operation of the company “Guna Tactical,” set up to produce military uniforms. She demanded transparency on the selection of the private partner, the value of public assets made available, the guaranteed contracts, and the state’s shift from majority to minority shareholder.

“We are not against domestic production of uniforms. On the contrary, we want every product that can be produced in Albania to carry the ‘Made in Albania’ stamp. But ‘Made in Albania’ must not become ‘Made for the friends of government’,” she stressed.

The Democratic MP demanded publication of the agreements and contracts of the KAYO companies, transparency on beneficial owners, independent audit of public assets and open competition for procurement.

For the manufacturing industry, Tabaku proposed faster VAT refunds, support linked to preserving jobs, financing for technology and energy efficiency, vocational training, and a shift from subcontracting (fason) to full-cycle production and Albanian brands.

“Albania cannot have corruption as its most successful product. It must produce food, clothing, footwear, technology, ideas and well-paid jobs,” Tabaku declared.

In conclusion, she placed political responsibility on the Socialist government and Prime Minister Edi Rama, arguing that the current model favors a power-connected minority at the expense of families, workers and honest entrepreneurs.

“Albanians are working. Entrepreneurs are trying. What is not working for them is the government,” Tabaku concluded.