Rama defends ministers from suspension

The announced changes to the law have sparked opposition accusations that the prime minister is undermining the independence of the judiciary.

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Edi Rama, Photo: Reuters
Edi Rama, Photo: Reuters
Disclaimer: The translations are mostly done through AI translator and might not be 100% accurate.

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said his government would amend the law to protect ministers from suspension while they are under criminal investigation, Reuters reported.

The opposition criticized the move and accused Rama of trying to protect himself and undermining the independence of the judiciary.

In November, the court suspended Rama's deputy, Belinda Baluka, after Albania's anti-corruption prosecutor's office, known as SPAK, indicted her for allegedly interfering in a tender for infrastructure projects, which she denies.

The case has sparked a dispute between SPAK, which has asked parliament to lift Baluk's immunity to allow her arrest, and Rama, who has complained about what he claims is an overreach of the judiciary's authority, particularly when it comes to pre-trial detentions.

Albania wants to join the European Union by 2030, but the bloc says the country must do more to fight crime and corruption.

Rama's Socialist Party, which secured a fourth consecutive mandate last year, has a comfortable majority in parliament and it is unclear if and when the assembly will lift the immunity of Baluk, who was also the minister of infrastructure and a close ally of the prime minister.

"The moment a minister is dismissed, not only one person is dismissed, but the entire work of that institution is suspended," Rama said today, addressing his party's MPs, announcing a plan to amend the law.

The opposition has staged a series of protests in the capital Tirana in recent months, demanding the resignation of Belinda Baluku. They said today that Rama is trying to control court proceedings in his favor through the changes.

"This is nothing more than Rama's attempt to protect himself, destroying both the independence of the judiciary and the separation of powers... because Rama is behind Baluku and her malfeasance," the main opposition Democratic Party said in a statement to Reuters.

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