Departure of Albanians/Këlliç raises the alarm: They go to neighboring countries to buy cheaper oil

2026-03-26 13:10:00, Aktualitet CNA

Departure of Albanians/Këlliç raises the alarm: They go to

Democratic Party MP Belind Këlliçi has raised the alarm over what he describes as a new level of economic crisis in Albania, where, according to him, leaving the country is no longer just final, but has become a daily practice.

Këlliçi states that around 40,000 citizens leave Albania each year to start a life abroad, while in parallel another phenomenon has emerged: citizens who cross the border every day to buy cheaper fuel and food products in neighboring countries.

According to him, oil prices in neighboring countries are 40–50% lower, while food costs significantly less. In contrast, in Albania, prices of basic products are at the level of the European Union average, despite lower incomes.

The MP describes this situation as a consequence of an economic model that, according to him, favors monopolies and oligopolies, distorting the market and increasing costs for citizens. He adds that this situation has forced Albanians to seek solutions abroad, even for the most basic daily needs.

In this context, Këlliçi announces that he has launched two requests for information addressed to responsible institutions, including the Ministry of Energy and the Customs Directorate, to obtain data on imports, prices and quantities of customs-cleared fuels.

He emphasizes that transparency is essential to understanding the mechanisms that, according to him, have led to this situation, while calling on citizens to react and change.

"Until yesterday, fleeing Albania was a final act, but today, in 2026, it has become everyday behavior.

Around 40,000 citizens a year end their lives here and start them somewhere else, far away.

But beyond this silent exodus, another one has begun, much closer, with lines at the border to buy cheaper oil and food. To survive.

From eternal flight to daily flight is the new level of crisis for Albania. Exclusively for it and no other Balkan country, from where no citizen crosses in the opposite direction to find a cheaper product.

A movie script bordering on the unbelievable, this economy forces its citizens to cross the border to buy the basics of life.

Daily balance:

In our neighbors, oil is sold 40–50% cheaper. Food prices are significantly lower.

In Albania, the prices of basic goods and products are the same as the EU average. While in its neighbors, they are up to 40 percent cheaper than the EU average.

What name can be given to the phenomenon that forces a society to cross the border every day in order to survive? Not from war, not from a volcano or apocalypse.

Because you can't even call this daily collective departure emigration, which has no connection to either the global crisis or any regional trend. Much less to any biblical curse or "social culture" as Ms. Kos could easily christen it.

We have this daily exile as a "gift" from our governing model, which increases prices without increasing income, which "licenses" the deformation of the market with monopolies and oligopolies, which thinks that propaganda is the most useful "food", which pushes perception, but destroys the standard of living.

This is where this narco-state, rotten with corruption and crime, that cannot provide a minimum standard of living within its own territory, has brought us down, surrendering without even declaring economic sovereignty.

As criminal as it is, this is not a fatality without a solution and it is in our power to stop this perversion that no longer allows Albanians to live within the country without going out every day to survive. As citizens and opposition members, we can overcome it by doing our part.

Since yesterday, I have launched two requests for information to the Ministry of Energy and the Customs Directorate to obtain data not only on customs-cleared quantities and prices, but also on imports.

To understand how this abuse is related to monopoly and oligopoly markets, Albanians need to know how their lives are being taken hostage.

"True, until today they have found a way to survive. But if running away has become a habit, change must become a decision. Albania is blessed by nature, we deserve to live in its prosperity," writes Këlliçi./ CNA