The parliament of Albania, dominated by the ruling Socialist Party, has voted decisively to maintain the immunity of dismissed former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku.
The 82-to-47 vote effectively blocks a request by the Special Prosecution Against Corruption and Crime (SPAK) to authorize Balluku’s arrest on charges of interfering in seven public procurement cases related to road construction.
Socialist MP Ulsi Manja defended the decision by downplaying the severity of the allegations, arguing that the charges centered on favoritism in tenders rather than more egregious crimes, asserting that
there are no charges for obstruction of justice.
The parliamentary maneuver has intensified domestic unrest, drawing crowds of opposition protesters to the streets of Tirana. Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha condemned the protection of the former official, claiming that Prime Minister Edi Rama is
using the laws and the constitution for his own interest, and is closing the doors of the European Union to Albania.
Despite the legal challenges and her prior dismissal, the Rama administration continues to offer vocal support for Balluku. This support is most notably seen in a new legislative proposal that would grant senior ministers immunity from court-ordered suspensions.
According to critics, this development signals a troubling retreat from the institutional transparency and judicial independence necessary for Albania’s Western integration.
