Can Albania really become a cashless economy?

"We have an ambition: that by the end of this decade, Albania will become a cashless society, meaning that all interactions and financial transactions are fully digital," "Albania 2030 — a vision towards European integration."

Either they are grossly naive, or Albania intends to keep their own currency. If they did some basic homework, they would quickly realise form the Rundfunk case in Germany that the EU has exclusive competency over the euro. Member states can only fuck with the euro to the extent powers are delegated to member states. The EU has allowed member states to limit the use of cash (which is already abusive and downgrades the euro). But the EU has a very hard line against total elimination of euro banknotes. No member state may abolish the euro.

So the question is, would the EU allow new members to keep their currency? That is the only way Albania can join while being cashless.

populism is the motor behind Rama's ambition to have a cashless economy.

I doubt that. I have found that people on the left and on the right equally oppose abolition of cash and forced banking. It’s around 60—70% who oppose cashless societies regardless of political party.

1 comments

"We have an ambition: that by the end of this decade, Albania will become a cashless society, meaning that all interactions and financial transactions are fully digital," "Albania 2030 — a vision towards European integration."
Either they are grossly naive, or Albania intends to keep their own currency. If they did some basic homework, they would quickly realise form the Rundfunk case in Germany that the EU has exclusive competency over the euro. Member states can only fuck with the euro to the extent powers are delegated to member states. The EU has allowed member states to limit the use of cash (which is already abusive and downgrades the euro). But the EU has a very hard line against total elimination of euro banknotes. No member state may abolish the euro.
So the question is, would the EU allow new members to keep their currency? That is the only way Albania can join while being cashless.
populism is the motor behind Rama's ambition to have a cashless economy.
I doubt that. I have found that people on the left and on the right equally oppose abolition of cash and forced banking. It’s around 60—70% who oppose cashless societies regardless of political party.