TIRANA, Dec 11 /ATA/ – Albania’s parliament on Thursday rejected a motion by the opposition to remove from the agenda a draft decision for the election of the country’s new Ombudsman.
The request by the Democratic Party was defeated by 77 votes against, 30 in favor, and one abstention.
The session began with a heated debate, as opposition lawmakers sought to withdraw their support for six candidates vying for the Ombudsman position.
In a speech to parliament, DP lawmaker Jorida Tabaku argued that the Ombudsman should be selected based on legal principles and with broad public support, rather than the backing of the ruling majority.
“We must choose an Ombudsman in accordance with the law and parliamentary rules, avoiding creating further constitutional gridlock,” Tabaku said. “The Ombudsman should represent all citizens, not just the interests of the ruling party.”
However, Ulsi Manja, head of the parliamentary Legal Affairs Committee, rejected the opposition’s claims and explained the process for selecting the Ombudsman, following a request to withdraw signatures for the 26 nominated candidates.
Manja emphasized that the committee had adhered strictly to the legal framework set by the Constitution, the law on the Ombudsman, and parliamentary regulations. He noted that candidates had 20 days to gather 28 supporting signatures from MPs, with most candidates submitting them within the designated timeframe.
The Committee chair accused the opposition of trying to change the rules after the deadline, stating that attempts to withdraw signatures on December 9 “had no legal effect.”
“Withdrawal of signatures after the December 2 deadline contradicts the principle of legal certainty,” Manja said. “You cannot sign in the morning and withdraw your support in the evening; it creates chaos,” he added, stressing that all signatures submitted within the deadline remain valid.
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