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EU report on Albania, DP: Justice with problems, corruption in all areas, including election campaigns

Politiko 2024-07-25 15:40:28

Statement of the spokesperson of the Democratic Party, Floriana Garo:

Justice with problems, government pressure on the judiciary, AMA controlled by the government and corruption in all areas, including in election campaigns. These are some of the many conclusions of the EU report on Albania where the black shadow of the government darkens even further.

The reform in justice has not solved the problems of justice, states the report of the European Union in the chapter on the rule of law. Although it preserves the usually harsh language of international institutions, the report mentions many problems that the Democratic Party deals with on a daily basis and contradict the government's propaganda.

It is not only a matter of weak justice in the face of the system, but also the lack of judges and the empty seats left by the vetting purges. The EU is also concerned about the lack of transparency regarding the movements and appointments of judges and prosecutors and, especially, the long time it takes to make a decision in the Albanian courts and cases.

The report also emphasizes "attempts to intervene and pressure the judicial system by public officials or politicians". At this point, an essential fact must be distinguished: The only politician not affected or investigated in Albania is Edi Rama and his closest people. Meanwhile, the 'new justice' is investigating the leaders of the three main opposition parties, starting with the arrested leader of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, who has been held in isolation without charge for 7 months.

The report also mentions corruption "widespread in many areas, including election campaigns", thus raising the alarm of the opposition about manipulated elections.

Not even the changes in the Law on Investigative Commissions, criticized according to the EU, for limiting the supervisory role of the parliament, go unpunished. According to the report, the Parliament has failed to respect some of the decisions of the Constitutional Court.

Institutions, ostensibly independent but serving as government antennas, AMA and Public Television also take a hit in the report, citing the concerns raised regarding the independence of the audio-visual regulatory authority. The EU also notes that there is not a fair distribution of state advertising and other state resources.

The Democratic Party welcomes the EU report, even though it thinks that Albania's current situation, and its prospects, are on the opposite path to European integration and values. Edi Rama and his illiberal democracy pose a danger to Albania and reduce its chances of integration.