The new government draft that amends the Criminal Code with harsher punishment for tax evasion has caused huge clash in the Commission of Economy on Monday. The opposition says that the changes will bring consequence to the Albanian economy. 
“This is a national shame. Telling to the Albanians that they will make seven years of prison if they throw fireworks and do not declare them. What do you think seven years are? They must withdraw while they are on time,” reacted the democrate MP, Florion Mima.
But according to the Deputy Minister of Finances, Irena Beqaj, representative of the government for defending the draft, the harsher measures are necessary to fight tax evasion.
“We have noted that fines have lost their effect in the Albanian culture. They keep postponing them through courts and other methods. This is why this is necessary,” said Beqaj.