TIRANA, Feb 4 /ATA/ – Prime Minister Edi Rama on Wednesday accused the National Association of Judges of behaving like a political party, amid a dispute over demands for higher judicial salaries.
Reacting to a statement by the Association a day ago, Rama criticized what he described as its public rhetoric, saying it was inappropriate and unjustifiable for representatives of the judiciary.
“Suddenly the Association of Judges emerges publicly as a political party, using language that is unacceptable and unjustifiable for those who represent the judicial branch – a power that arbitrates, not an arbiter who says: the whistle is mine, the ball is mine, I will take the penalty myself and the goal must remain without a goalkeeper,” the government head said in remarks posted on social media.
Rama quoted from the Association’s statement, which said it had followed “with regret and concern the campaign of public speculation” undertaken by the prime minister and the media coverage surrounding it.
He rejected the claim, saying the issue did not constitute a political campaign and that the government had no intention of campaigning against judges or portraying them as victims.
“This is not a political battle. We are not in any campaign, and we have no intention of waging one against judges,” Rama said, adding that the association’s demand was “absolutely unique in Europe” and did not strengthen the judiciary’s position.
Rama also objected to the Association’s reference to what it described as a “populist smokescreen”, saying the group had no mandate to make such comments.
“If you are a political party, then register as one, enter the race and defend your platform,” he said.
The Prime Minister said the situation bore no resemblance to political “lynching”, stressing that no individual judge had been named, insulted or targeted, but that a serious public issue had been raised.
“You are asking for an additional 37 million euros from the state budget to raise your own salaries. That is the plain truth,” Rama said.
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