Speaking at a joint news conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Rama was asked whether he bore political responsibility for appointments made by his government, including that of former State Intelligence Service (SHISH) chief Vlora Hyseni.

“I do not claim to change your understanding of political responsibility. For me, political responsibility is one thing: ensuring that the justice reform does not stop, and that the fight against corruption, organised crime and all actions that violate the law continues to develop as a mission of the system,” Rama said.

He said the ruling majority had undertaken the transformative effort that led to Albania’s justice reform.

Rama rejected the idea that political responsibility should automatically extend to every subsequent action by an appointed official.

He said officials who betrayed a common purpose should face the consequences through the independent justice system.

Rama also cited France, saying a French justice minister had faced allegations of paedophilia but remained in office and that the French president had not assumed political responsibility.

“In the end, the process found the minister innocent and he remains in office. These are approaches that each country follows according to its own system. No one is protected when it comes to facing the consequences of an action that falls within the sphere of an independent investigation or judicial process,” Rama said.

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