Retirement for the species

Retirement for the species

The Albanian formula of impunity

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has finally dismissed his deputy and infrastructure minister Belinda Baluka, who is accused of manipulating public tenders.

Charges:

In December 2025, the Special Prosecutor's Office for Combating Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) accused Baluka of interfering in government tenders for the construction of the Logara Tunnel and the Tirana Ring Road.

In February 2026, the Constitutional Court ordered her removal from office, and SPAK appealed to Parliament to remove Baluka's immunity for possible arrest.

Edi Rama actively resisted this: ten days after the Constitutional Court dismissed Baluka from office, the ruling Socialist Party proposed a law that would protect senior officials from prosecution.

More information about the law:

The new law will prohibit courts from dismissing the President, Prime Minister, deputy prime ministers, ministers, Ombudsman, Chairman of the Accounts Chamber and members of the Constitutional Court. Currently, such immunity is provided only for elected officials — deputies, mayors and members of municipal councils.

These events not only further deepen the political divide in Albania, but also increase public discontent. Recently, there were regular protests in Tirana about this, which escalated into clashes with police outside the parliament building and the arson of the Prime Minister's office.

Edi Rama's rule in Albania is widely seen as a symbol of the institutionalization of corruption and political pressure. Will we see a "Bulgarian scenario"?

#Albania

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