Podgorica, (MINA-BUSINESS) – Increasing all pensions by €40 and raising the minimum pension from €450 to €490 does not require additional funds in this year’s budget, nor is new borrowing necessary, said the head of the parliamentary group of the United Reform Action (URA), Milos Konatar.

“The irresponsible economic policy of the Government of Montenegro, particularly toward the Pension and Disability Insurance Fund, resulting in an annual deficit of €450 million at the end of last year that had to be covered by other budget revenues, has led to pensions being increased this year by 0.38 percent, or €1.75, which is an insult to all pensioners,” Konatar said.

He stated that all pensioners would receive the €40 increase as of 1 April and that no new budget allocations are required for that increase.

“There is room to implement the increase within this year’s budget, and instead of wasteful spending, we should finally direct funds to those who need them most: pensioners in Montenegro,” Konatar believes.

As he concluded, URA will fight to improve the standard of living of pensioners and correct decades-long injustices, which remains one of the key pillars of the “Montenegro

365” programme goals.