The discussion focused on Albania’s EU accession agenda, the importance of maintaining the momentum of negotiations and the role of parliaments in advancing reforms and aligning Albanian legislation with the EU *acquis*.

In a social media post, Balla emphasized the importance of support from European partners in this historic process. He also expressed the expectation that once negotiations are concluded, the Romanian Parliament will promptly ratify the agreement for Albania’s accession into the European Union.

Balla described EU membership as a national strategic objective, one that requires sustained commitment, institutional responsibility and close cooperation with European partners. During this visit, Balla is accompanied by Socialist Party MPs Ermal Elezi and Loer Kume. /m.q/r.e/a.f/p.s./

In his remarks, Balla appreciated that this €8 million investment is slated to be one of the key projects for the Municipality of Vora for the 2026–2027 period.

He emphasized that the project aims to provide a definitive solution for the drinking water supply, covering not only the town of Vora, but also the surrounding villages.

Balla underscored the importance of overseeing the work through to its completion, ensuring that deadlines are met and quality standards are upheld, so that the investment effectively serves all residents of the area. /gj.m/j.p/p.s./

Following the meeting, Balla stated that the Socialist Party calls upon all political forces and movements to participate in the 2027 local elections.

He stressed that boycotting is no solution and called for full political participation instead.

“The Socialist Party calls on all political forces and movements to participate in the 2027 local elections. Boycotting the elections is not the solution!” Balla said. /p.s./

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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The discussion focused on Albania’s EU accession agenda and the importance of maintaining the momentum of the negotiations.

In a post on social media, Balla described the meeting as a fruitful conversation, highlighting the role of the Parliament of Albania in this process.

According to Balla, the Parliament plays a vital role in advancing reforms, aligning Albanian legislation with the European Union *acquis*, and strengthening Parliamentary oversight.

Balla also underscored that EU membership remains a national strategic objective, requiring sustained commitment, institutional responsibility and close cooperation with European partners. /k.s/j.p/r.e/p.s./

Taulant Balla, the Socialist Party’s political leader for Tirana region shared the news and a view of the project designed by the renowned French architect Manuelle Gautrand.

According to Balla, the modern structure in the center of Kavaja aims to bring a fresh architectural concept to the urban space.

This impressive project covers 3,130 m² with a 1,405 m² footprint, standing as a single-story structure with a peak height of 18.95 meters. Its most captivating element is the roof—two elegant arches joined by an asymmetrical ridge, giving the building a truly unique and memorable silhouette.

The new Kavaja Bazaar project represents a significant intervention in the city center, featuring a contemporary architectural design created by a prominent French architect. /m.m/j.p/p.s./

Balla confirmed that the reform would proceed to a debate and vote today. However, he urged the opposition to collaborate on creating a special commission tasked with defining the competencies of the newly proposed local government units. According to Balla, the restructuring will ensure higher-quality public services across 46 new municipalities, with the central government prepared to decentralize powers that are currently underutilized.

Further on, Balla directly addressed claims made by Democratic Party Chairman Sali Berisha concerning the leak of intimate videos, unauthorized recording and distribution of intimate videos involving a distinguished Albanian composer. Balla also responded to the opposition’s demand for a Parliamentary debate over the investigation into former SHISH Director Vlora Hyseni.

Strongly condemning the dissemination of intimate materials, Balla emphasized that women and girls must be protected and supported, urging strict legal penalties for those responsible for the leaks.

Regarding the opposition’s request for a motion with debate, Balla noted that the information cited stems from an ongoing investigation by the Special Prosecution Office (SPAK). He remarked, “I am pleased that, when it suits your political interests, you choose to rely on SPAK’s case files.”

Balla emphasized the majority’s full support for the judicial institution, stating they expect SPAK to independently investigate and resolve the matter without political interference. He noted that the justice reform permanently ended the era of politicians judging themselves, establishing that criminal cases belong solely in the hands of judicial bodies.

Furthermore, Balla stressed that investigations must proceed independently regardless of an individual’s social status or political office and that the Assembly should not use Parliamentary oversight to usurp the powers of the judiciary.

Following the debate, the Democratic Party’s (DP) request for a motion was rejected, with 76 votes against and 37 in favor.

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In his remarks, Balla stated that honoring the victims and standing in solidarity with their families remains an obligation, emphasizing that October 7 must not be forgotten.

“Today, on October 7, we commemorated the victims of the terrorist attack of October 7, 2023, in Israel. Remembering is an obligation we owe to the victims and their families. To remember means not to forget,” Balla said.

He condemned terrorism, antisemitism and all forms of hatred, highlighting the history of Albanians protecting Jews during the Holocaust.

Balla also drew attention to the Albanian tradition of religious coexistence, linking it to the concept of “Besa”—a word of honor—which, according to him, motivated Albanians to open their doors to shelter the persecuted Jewish families. “We do not view different faiths as walls that divide us. We see them as different paths that can coexist under the same roof, within the same family and as part of the same nation,” he said.

Furthermore, Balla emphasized that the memory of October 7th should serve as a responsibility for the future—to reject hatred and uphold human dignity.

“Let us never become indifferent to hatred. And may the memory of October 7th strengthen our resolve to build a future where peace is stronger than fear and humanity is stronger than hatred,” Balla stated. /p.s./

Speaking at today’s Parliamentary session, Balla addressed the developments in Kosovo and the relations between the two countries, remarking that this situation is nothing new.

“It is never a coincidence—from Rambouillet to the present day—that whenever Kosovo faces difficulties and needs Albania, Berisha calls for an attack against Albania’s democratic institutions,” Balla stated.

He urged the opposition not to repeat the scenarios of 2019, when the Democratic Party boycotted the Parliament and the elections, warning that such decisions undermine the country’s democratic functioning.

Balla also stated that at a time when Kosovo needs Albania’s support, Albanian politics must speak with a unified voice.

“Do not forget that today, more than ever, Kosovo needs support from Albania; it needs a unified voice,” he said. In his remarks, the head of the Socialist Parliamentary group also addressed the administrative-territorial reform, electoral reform and the European integration process, calling on the opposition to cooperate in fulfilling Albania’s commitments on its path toward the European Union.

Balla stated that the Electoral Reform Commission has a deadline until the end of November to complete its work, emphasizing that the reform must be carried out with the opposition’s participation, but without allowing the integration process to be blocked. /p.s./

Balla said the draft law was being reviewed by parliament’s legislation committee and was expected to be put to a vote in the plenary session scheduled for October 8.

“My appeal to DP parliamentary group is to take part in the discussions in the legal affairs committee. If they have proposals, they should submit them there. There is still time,” Balla told reporters.

He said the reform aimed to create stronger municipalities with greater financial and administrative capacity, capable of providing better services and attracting investment. He also linked the changes to Albania’s EU integration process, saying stronger local authorities would be better positioned to compete for EU-related projects.

Responding to opposition claims that the reform was being approved unilaterally, Balla noted that the Democratic Party had also boycotted the 2014 vote on the previous territorial reform.

“If they want to stay away again, let them. But the caravan must move forward,” he said.

Balla rejected claims that the proposed merger of Rrogozhinë and Kavajë was electorally motivated, saying both municipalities are in Tirana county and that the merger would not alter the electoral landscape in national elections.

He said Socialist lawmakers had raised their views and concerns during the group meeting, but that the parliamentary group remained committed to supporting the reform.

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