TIRANA, October 29 /ATSH/ – “Amidst the whistles, flares, chaos, noise and violence, Albania’s European integration remains on track.”
This statement was delivered today by Taulant Balla, head of the Socialist Party’s parliamentary group, following a tense session of the Assembly. He noted that nine laws related to Albania’s EU accession negotiations were approved during the session.
Speaking to reporters, Balla emphasized that the parliamentary majority will continue to carry out the necessary reforms to align Albanian legislation with European standards, regardless of political clashes and the opposition’s attempts to obstruct parliamentary proceedings.
“One of the most important votes was on the new draft law for the Bank of Albania, which passed its first reading with 84 votes. Within three to four years, our central bank will be led by the governor of a central bank in a European Union member state. Just as counterparts at the central banks of Luxembourg, Romania, Italy, or France have specific rights and protections—or immunities, if you prefer—so should ours. I can assure you that every single article in this new Bank of Albania law has been fully approved by the European Commission,” said Balla.
Referring to the incidents in the Assembly, where opposition MPs blocked the podium and lit flares, Balla warned that disciplinary measures would be enforced. “They have effectively signed their own suspension,” he stated. Under Article 65 of the Assembly’s Rules of Procedure, anyone who lights flares—creating smoke that stops colleagues from breathing normally—faces a 60-day suspension.
According to Balla, the opposition’s behavior cannot stall the ongoing European integration process. The head of the Socialist parliamentary group also emphasized the importance of approving the review schedule for the 2027 draft budget. “Today, Albanians received the good news that, for the first time in our state’s history, our budget exceeds 10 billion euros,” Balla stated. He described the draft budget as socially focused, highlighting the fiscal package and the proposal to cut the VAT on food products from 20% to 6%. “We are returning 150 million euros directly to Albanian families and household budgets,” he declared. Balla also noted the removal of the circulation tax on diesel and gasoline, alongside increased support for pensioners.
He urged the opposition to join the debate and vote on the draft budget and fiscal package over the next 30 days.
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