SP Resolution on Corruption, BIRN: Uncertainty over the institutions and laws that will be subject to reform

The resolution was approved with 76 votes in favor and 2 against by opposition MPs Agron Shehaj and Dashnor Sula.

The largest opposition group, known as "Re-establishment" did not participate in the vote with the argument that it could not undertake anti-corruption initiatives with a corrupt government, but left unclear the participation in the commission that will be established on the basis of resolution.

The chairman of the democratic parliamentary group Gazment Bardhi announced at the beginning of the session the decision to abstain by not participating in the vote.

"We consider it unnecessary to adopt a Resolution to set the agenda or what we should do," he said, arguing that the opposition had always shown the will to fight corruption, while the government made propaganda with this.

"We firmly stand by the will to consider it a vital necessity for the future of the country to deepen the fight against corruption and the phenomenon of capillary impunity at all levels", he said, adding that "for this we have always been ready to play our role, we have done our duty and we will continue to do it with great dedication..."

Asked by BIRN if they will become part of the special commission that will be set up, Bardhi did not answer.

Even the leader of the official DP, Lulzim Basha, who controls a smaller group of deputies in the Assembly, said that he would not vote for this resolution, describing the initiative as an "electoral act" and a "dirty conspiracy against SPAK".

He said that "he will strongly denounce any attempt against justice, and in particular against SPAK, which is currently the main institution, if not the only one, that is managing to attack high government corruption".

MPs Shehaj and Sula who voted against alluded that this resolution tried to capture justice at a moment when justice was giving the first results of the anti-corruption war with investigations against high government officials.

"This is a preparation of the ground to attack justice" - said Shehaj, asking the deputies to vote against.

While Sula cast doubts on how the special commission would function and on the goals the majority had for its establishment.

"We are not a parliamentary republic, we are a prime ministerial republic and this is done by order of the prime minister", he said, calling the arguments of the socialists "demagoguery".

Entitled the resolution: "For the deepening of reforms for good governance, the rule of law and anti-corruption for Albania 2030 in the European Union", it was defended by the socialists as an instrument to involve the parliament in the reforms that must be undertaken for the European integration process.

Prime Minister Edi Rama described the anti-corruption fight as the leitmotif of his government and described the accusations that he is trying to control SPAK as fantasy.

"SPAK is the bitter medicine, if you drink it, you die and whoever drinks it once yes and once no, like the rest of you do, no, it has no chance to cleanse itself and move forward, but it only lasts his own agony and dissolves like you are dissolving in the 'alley of hope'" he told the opposition MPs, alluding to the leader of "Re-establishment", former Prime Minister Sali Berisha, who is under house arrest accused of corruption.

According to Rama, what is happening with the justice reform has changed the wheel of history since 1912 and for this is the credit of the socialist majority.

According to the text of the resolution, the aim is for the Assembly to increase its supervisory and accountability role towards the government, independent institutions and law-enforcement executive agencies, however, uncertainty is created about the institutions and laws that will be subject to reform.

The initiative of the SP comes at a time when the reports of international organizations refer to data that there is an increase in the perception of corruption and a continuous decrease in the efficiency of anti-corruption mechanisms in the public sector. Reporter.al