The Mayor of the Municipality of Pristina, Përparim Rama, has called for the immediate resolution of the budget crisis that is hindering the normal functioning of the municipality and the payment of workers.

Rama stated that, despite the Assembly’s vote last week to transfer the funds, the money from the Ministry of Finance has still not been transferred. “Municipal services have stopped and workers are without pay. The municipality is waiting for the funds to be allocated immediately,” he said.

He further wrote: “Why aren’t you releasing the money, Hekuran? Services have stopped. Workers are without pay. The municipality is waiting for the transfer of funds from the ministry! Last week we voted for the transfer of funds, even though these obligations could easily have been covered by the 35 million euros in own-source revenues and by the government grant, which, ironically, don’t even require a vote in the Assembly — only the will of the acting minister to approve them — yet he continues to keep them blocked with dedication! Since spectacular politics has become the priority, we were forced to pursue every other route just so that the workers can receive their salaries. We even called an extraordinary session to vote for 25 million euros from the 2024 revenues — the same funds that were blocked three times in a row by VV assembly members. This time they were approved. They launched a public offensive saying that ‘VV saved the capital.’ They forget that citizens are vigilant and know that if VV had not BLOCKED the budget, there would have been no need for ‘UNBLOCKING.’”

The mayor criticized the political delays and emphasized that part of these funds could have been covered by the 35 million euros in own-source revenues and by government grants, which do not require approval from the Assembly but only authorization by the competent minister. According to him, deliberate delays are creating an artificial crisis and are hindering the implementation of projects for citizens.

Rama thanked those assembly members who voted in the public interest, adding that the responsibility now lies with the central level to allocate the funds as soon as possible. He stressed that citizens are vigilant and should not allow public funds to be held hostage to daily or electoral interests.