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Ditari i Opozitës

Tabaku: We cannot behave like Europeans in Brussels and like autocrats in Tirana

Politiko 2025-06-13 10:49:00

In a statement during the session of the European Affairs Committee on Negotiating Positions, the chair of the committee, Jorida Tabaku, denounced the government's behavior in the May 11 elections, warning that the path towards the EU cannot be a facade that ignores democratic standards.

She clearly referred to the OSCE-ODIHR report, which, according to her, "is an expert report that seals the reality of a state that acts in the service of a party."

The report points to the blurring of the dividing line between state and party, the use of personal data, and the systematic pressure on the administration to serve as an electoral mechanism.

Tabaku emphasized that integration is not a technocratic process, but a political contract with citizens, and according to her, the OSCE-ODIHR report is evidence of the failure of this contract.

During her speech, there was also a brief clash with MP Kodheli, who opposed highlighting these concerns.

Tabaku reacted by saying: "I'm here to express my political opinion. You may not like it, but we have to respect each other."

Excerpt from Ms. Tabaku's speech:

Today we discuss one of the most important group chapters in the integration process: Cluster 4 – which includes environmental, climate, energy and connectivity policies. All of these are areas that directly affect the lives of Albanian citizens and are closely related to the economic and social model that we want to build in the future.
However, we must not forget that this discussion takes place just a few weeks after an electoral process, which tested not only the will of citizens, but also the sustainability of our democratic institutions. And if European integration has an indisputable foundation, it is precisely the rule of law and free elections.
We are discussing group chapter 4, which is very important for the environment, for connectivity, for energy and which affects citizens. However, we must not forget that we are at a turning point because we are after the elections and we have tested how this government behaves with the fundamentals – that is, with the chapter of elections and the rule of law.
This is the chapter that opens first and closes last in terms of its importance. And an evaluator of this progress is undoubtedly the OSCE-ODIHR report, which in its preliminary version openly speaks of the abuse of power and the disappearance of the dividing line between the state and the party.
We cannot behave as Europeans in Brussels and as Albanians in Tirana. The government must ensure uniformity in the implementation of tasks. We need a deep institutional discussion on the electoral process, as Tirana cannot remain silent.