Mandates Council Must Address Balluku Case Promptly, Says Bardhi

Sonila Mehmeti — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 13:16:43 +0000

TIRANA, Feb 9 /ATA/ Gazment Bardhi, Chair of the Democratic Party Parliamentary Group, responded today to Prime Minister Edi Rama’s announcement of legislative amendments concerning the unresolved issue before the Constitutional Court regarding the suspension of a minister. Bardhi asserted that modifying the law during an ongoing investigation serves to entrench executive power rather than uphold constitutional principles.
Bardhi stated on social media that when a Prime Minister amends the law while his closest collaborator is under investigation, he is not safeguarding any constitutional or legal principle. Rather, he is protecting his own corrupt power. Rules are not to be altered in the midst of an investigation to serve personal interests.
He added that the government’s and Parliament’s efforts to challenge the decisions of two courts regarding the criminal investigation demonstrate organized pressure on the judiciary.
Bardhi also highlighted what he described as delays in addressing SPAK’s request to remove the parliamentary immunity of Belinda Balluku.
Bardhi remarked that the assertion of ‘no urgency’ regarding SPAK’s request to arrest Belinda Balluku sends a clear signal: justice is being deferred, and the executive is maneuvering to gain additional time.
Bardhi stressed that suspension from public office is not a measure invented by SPAK, but is expressly provided for under the Code of Criminal Procedure.
‘The provision applies to all public officials, including ministers, deputy prime minister, and the prime minister. Whenever the statutory conditions are met, any individual may be suspended, as such suspension does not impede the functioning of the state. It is intended solely to restrict the individual under investigation, thereby preventing the exercise of influence through their official capacity,’ Bardhi stated.
Bardhi clarified that arrest and suspension constitute parallel legal measures, with the former designed to safeguard the criminal process and the latter to protect the functioning of public institutions.
He urged that the Mandates Council convene without pretexts, undue delays, or political interference. “The Speaker of Parliament must decide: either in accordance with the law, or in favor of deviating the course of justice,” concluded Bardhi, Chair of the Democratic Party Parliamentary Group.
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mandates-council-parliament – Albanian Telegraphic Agency.

Mandates Council Must Address Balluku Case Promptly, Says Bardhi