Albania’s Supreme State Audit Institution (KLSH) has faced scrutiny in Parliament over its request for increased funding and 10 additional employees for 2027, sparking debate over staffing needs, salary increases and audit performance.

During a hearing before the Xhafaj Commission, Socialist MP and rapporteur Ermal Elezi questioned the need to expand the institution’s workforce, noting that salaries at KLSH increased by approximately 90% between 2021 and 2025, without corresponding evidence of improvements in audit coverage or quality.

KLSH requested a total budget of 894.4 million lek (€approximately), including 711.5 million lek for salaries and social security, 100.9 million lek for goods and services, and 82 million lek for capital investments. The proposed 2027 budget ceiling stands at 735.5 million lek, around 15% below the institution’s request.

The institution is seeking approval for 253 employees, 10 more than its 2026 staffing structure. KLSH representatives argued that additional resources are essential to meet growing audit demands, strengthen public financial oversight and fulfill obligations related to Albania’s EU integration process.

Elezi, however, questioned the request, pointing to existing staff vacancies and the institution’s reported investment execution rate of just 18%. He called for clearer evidence linking additional positions to measurable improvements in audit performance and parliamentary recommendations.

A representative of the Ministry of Finance also raised concerns about personnel spending, citing discrepancies in the institution’s budget projections and calling for better alignment of salary structures with other independent institutions.

The debate highlighted broader questions over KLSH’s financial independence, institutional capacity and accountability as Albania advances its EU integration agenda.