The acting government on Tuesday approved the Ministry of Finance's request to execute 100 euros for all students who meet the criteria at the start of the new academic year, but this decision was criticized by the opposition, as they believe it is an attempt to buy votes.
At a government meeting, it was announced that the allocation of 100 euros for students is expected to cost around 6 million euros.
Acting Minister of Finance, Hekuran Murati, said that these funds will be provided by the Economic Recovery Program.
"As we emphasized, we are dealing with the allocation of 100 euros for students who meet the criteria, similar to the measures in previous years, and this action is expected to cost around 6 million euros, which is expected to be provided by the Economic Recovery Package," said Murati.
The Minister emphasized that students will be notified of the application form and execution dates.
Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti has said that in addition to the allocation of 100 euros, students who are at the bachelor's level will also benefit from a mobility scholarship.
"We have already proven that we share economic growth with citizens. Because when growth is shared, it multiplies. When inequality in society decreases, aggregate demand in the economy increases. Within the framework of this sharing of economic growth, today we approve the decision to allocate 100 euros to all students who meet the criteria. Support for students does not end there. Today we will also approve the mobility scholarship for bachelor's students. The amount of support will depend on the distance between your place of residence and the place where you study," he said.
The mobility scholarship will be worth 20 million euros for one year.
Kurti added that budget revenues have increased by 10 percent compared to the previous year.
Krasniqi criticizes the allocation of 100 euros for students: A desperate attempt to buy votes
But, after the decision of the acting Government, the leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), Memli Krasniqi, reacted.
He described this action as an open attempt to buy votes.
According to Krasniqi, this is a delayed reaction motivated by electoral panic.
"The outgoing Prime Minister, who has already lost all legitimacy, seems to be panicking over the huge defeat that awaits him on Sunday," Krasniqi wrote in a post on social media.
He emphasized that this amount does not represent sincere support for students, but is an electoral maneuver.
"This is not sincere support for students, but an open attempt at vote buying."
However, the PDK leader invited students to take these funds, emphasizing that they belong to them, but not to let this influence their choice.
"I invite students to take those funds, which come from their families' taxes, but on Sunday to use their vote to punish a prime minister who has endangered their future and the state's," said Krasniqi.
The government allocated 100 euros, Cakolli: Example of using public resources for electoral purposes
Eugen Cakolli from the Democratic Institute of Kosovo has also reacted to the recent decision of the acting Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, by allocating 100 euros to the country's students.
Cakolli, through a post on the social network Facebook, wrote that the approval of these measures just a few days before the local elections constitutes a clear example of the use of public resources for electoral purposes.
He further said that the allocation of these funds as well as other financial measures are not necessary activities nor foreseen in the annual budget.
"The allocation of 100 euros for students by the incumbent Government, as well as other financial measures, are not necessary activities, nor foreseen in the annual budget or work plan (which is not even public). Consequently, the decisions conflict with the Law on Government and the limitations it foresees for the incumbent government."
According to him, in total, the financial value of the measures taken by the incumbent Government has already exceeded the value of over 100 million euros, which exceeds the limits of administrative decision-making for "routine or necessary matters", entering the realm of decisions with political and electoral impact.
"Beyond the legal aspect, the adoption of these measures just a few days before the local elections constitutes a clear example of the use of public resources for electoral purposes. Such an action undermines the equal electoral competition, creating an unfair advantage for the candidates of the political entity leading the government and influencing the behavior of voters, especially among sensitive groups such as students," Cakolli wrote. /Telegrafi/
