The Mayor of Pristina, Përparim Rama, has reacted harshly to the Ministry of Finance and the acting minister, Hekuran Murati, accusing him of deliberately blocking financial resources that, according to him, are preventing the payment of "Urban Traffic" workers and private public transport operators.

Rama said that services in the capital have been interrupted and workers have been left without salaries, while the municipality, according to him, is awaiting the transfer of funds from the ministry. He recalled that last week the Municipal Assembly voted to transfer the funds, although these obligations – as he emphasized – could have been covered by own revenues of 35 million euros and government grants which, according to him, do not require a vote, but only approval from the minister, reports Telegraph.

The mayor mentioned that the municipality has been forced to use everything possible to secure workers' salaries, including calling an extraordinary session, where 25 million euros were voted from the 2024 revenues. He recalled that these funds had been blocked three times in a row by Vetëvendosje assembly members, who then - as he said - went public claiming that they "saved the capital."

"Citizens know that, if the budget had not been blocked earlier, there would be no need for 'unblocking'," Rama said, adding that in the end he thanks all those who voted in the public interest.

He asked Minister Murati a series of questions, seeking clarification on why the funds have not yet been released, whether another crisis is being deliberately created for political gain, or whether - as he put it - "holding public funds hostage for daily interests" is being practiced.

Rama's reaction comes at a time when the capital is facing disruptions to public transport services and warnings of radicalization of actions by workers. /Telegraph/


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