The procedure was considered illegal, the new president of the KLJ is elected with contestation

On Tuesday, through a contested process, the High Judicial Council elected Ilir Rusi as the new chairman instead of Naureda Llagami, while member Yllka Rupa was elected to the position of deputy chairman.

The opposition came at the beginning of the session from the youngest member of the Council, Violanda Theodhori, who stated that she was notified only on Monday about the election of the new chairman through an unsigned letter sent by email. According to Theodhor, it takes at least seven days from the moment the call is opened for candidates to present their interest.

Theodhori emphasized that these circumstances make it objectively impossible for him to run. According to her, the created situation is not only illegal, but also places the candidates in unequal conditions. She requested that a different date be set for consideration of the second item on the agenda, or that it be removed from the agenda.

Vice President Ilir Rusi intervened, underscoring that they were acting according to the law and that the meeting was therefore considered unusual. He asked for the continuation of the review of the first point, where the declaration of the end of the mandate of former president Naureda Llagami was approved.

The procedure followed was disputed by the other non-magistrate member, Bledar Bajri. He said the youngest member had just arrived and had not been given the opportunity to run. Bajri emphasized that he supports Theodhori so that she and everyone can be given the opportunity to express their interest, if they value it.

Bajri raised questions about the procedure being followed. He asked Rusi, in case of expressing interest in the position of chairman, would he have to resign as deputy chairman and have the oldest member lead the meeting, in order to avoid any contradictions in the selection process.

Rusi said that this is not the first meeting of the Council and that he has the right to lead it as vice-chairman, in the absence of the chairwoman. But, Bajri insisted, underlining that he thought that Russia should give up, in order for the candidacy to be conducted equally.

Theodohor's request for postponement and Bajri's for granting time on Tuesday, was rejected by the majority of the members of the KLJ.

In the following, the vice-chairman Ilir Rusi, who was leading the meeting, and the member Bledar Bajri showed interest in the position of the chairman. The two candidates, without presenting any platform regarding the vision and the way to lead the council, were voted by all the members of the council.

Ilir Rusi received 10 votes in favor, while Bajri voted for himself.

After being elected as president, Rusi said that the position of vice president remains vacant. Next, the member Klodian Kurushi proposed to add the election of the vice president to the agenda. Of the three members who expressed interest in this position, Violanda Theodhori, Albenc Tabaku and Yllka Rupa, the latter was chosen as vice president. Even the three candidates for vice president did not present any platform before the Council.

Asked by BIRN about this circumstance, the coordinator for the right to information, Blerta Ngucaj, said that the law and the regulation of the council do not provide that for the election of the president and vice president, platforms should be presented by them. She added that this practice has been maintained.

The new president of the KLGJ, Ilir Rusi, was elected as a member in March 2022 from among the faculty of the Faculty of Law and the School of Magistrates, with a five-year term. Then he assumed the position of deputy chairman, which he held until Tuesday.

The vice president Yllka Rupa has been elected as a member of the KLGJ also from the ranks of lecturers, on February 2, 2022. Reporter.al