TIRANA, Sept 30 /ATA/ – Albania’s main opposition Democratic Party (DP) has called for a parliamentary debate on the government’s four-year programme, but the ruling Socialist Party (SP) rejected the motion, arguing it violates parliamentary rules.
The motion, submitted by the chairman of DP parliamentary group, Gazment Bardhi, seeks to reopen discussion on the government’s policy agenda, which was approved in a 25-minute session on September 18. Bardhi requested that the debate take place this Thursday, noting no other session had been scheduled.
The head of SP parliamentary group, Taulant Balla, countered that the motion failed to meet the formal and substantive criteria set out in Article 98 of the parliamentary rulebook, saying it grouped together six broad topics instead of focusing on a single issue.
“This request covers macro-issues such as ministerial integrity and political criminalisation. It fails to respect the required format for a motion,” Balla said, adding that the matter was already considered closed two weeks after the programme’s approval.
Bardhi responded that the Conference of Chairpersons – the body tasked with scheduling debates—should not evaluate the content of motions, but only set dates. He insisted the motion centers on Albania’s EU integration aspirations, a key government priority.
Separately, Parliament is expected to formally establish five of its 11 standing committees later today, following an agreement between the majority and the opposition last week.
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