Tabaku: The opposition's 31 amendments were approved, the government can no longer hide the problems

Following the consensus approval of 31 out of 35 amendments presented by the opposition in the final recommendations of the Stabilization and Association Parliamentary Committee, Democratic Party MP Jorida Tabaku has reacted.

Tabaku, also vice-chair of the Stabilization and Association Committee, described the MEPs' vote as a confirmation of concerns long raised by the opposition about the state of democracy, the rule of law, the economy and the functioning of institutions in Albania.

According to her, the approved amendments show that the European integration process has been used by the government as a cover for the adoption of laws that favor a privileged minority, instead of serving to build European standards and democratize the country.

"Integration has been treated as a notary of the oppression of the government, not as an instrument for the democratization of the country," writes Tabaku.

Full reaction:

After two days of debate in the Stabilization and Association Committee, where opposition representatives presented with facts and arguments the real concerns of Albania and Albanians, MEPs unanimously approved 31 of the 35 amendments submitted on behalf of the opposition in the final recommendations of the Joint Committee.

These amendments are a clear testament to the state of the country.

They show that the European integration process has been used by the government not to build European standards, but to adopt tailor-made laws, laws that serve a privileged minority. Integration has been treated as a notary of the oppressions of the government, not as an instrument for the democratization of the country.

The system established by this majority is based on the fusion of the party with the state, the political use of institutions and citizens' data, and the transformation of public administration into an electoral machine.

Parliament has become a notary of the interests of the ruling minority. SPAK has been repeatedly targeted whenever investigations affect people in power. Institutions are used to politically protect those being investigated and to obstruct justice.

SPAK's recent files on organized crime have also shown that Albanian property has been treated as the loot of power, ready to be distributed to government clients and criminal groups. Meanwhile, the legitimate owners have been wandering around the administration's doors for years, without receiving either their property or the justice they deserve.

Even public procurement has become a spoils of war. It is micromanaged by the system to reward those who serve the machinery of power.

One of the most important amendments is the request to repeal the law on strategic investments. For more than three years, we have been requesting the repeal of this law, and recently we have re-submitted to the Assembly the proposal for its repeal.

This law did not bring development. It created privileges, concentrated public and private wealth in the hands of a few, and turned the state into an intermediary for clientelist interests.

The adoption of these amendments is a clear message: Europe does not accept laws on paper or facade integration. It demands the rule of law, competition, protected property, independent justice, and institutions that serve citizens.

Albania does not need a system that works for the minority. It needs a state that works for the majority.