EditAlbanian parliament rejects arrest of former deputy PM amid corruption probe, drawing international criticism
The Dutch and the German embassies reacted post-vote, urging Tirana to align with EU standards on rule of law
In a move that has intensified concerns over Albania’s commitment to judicial independence and anti-corruption reforms, the Albanian Parliament on Thursday voted to reject a request from the Special Prosecution Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) to lift the parliamentary immunity of former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku.
The decision, driven by the ruling Socialist Party’s majority, prevents SPAK from arresting Balluku on charges related to manipulating public tenders worth over €200 million. This development has prompted swift rebukes from Western embassies, underscoring the fragility of Albania’s EU integration path.
The vote, held in a plenary session, followed a recommendation from the Socialist Party’s parliamentary group earlier this week to deny SPAK’s request.
With 83 seats out of 140, the Socialists ensured the outcome was a formality, rejecting the motion on party lines. Opposition lawmakers from the Democratic Party decried the decision as a blatant shield for high-level corruption, with leader Sali Berisha urging Parliament to “bring Balluku before justice” and accusing Prime Minister Edi Rama of protecting his inner circle.
Protests erupted outside the Parliament building in Tirana, where demonstrators chanted “No immunity for thieves!” under the banner of the civic group Lëvizja Bashkë.
Balluku, who served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy until her dismissal in late February, has been at the center of one of SPAK’s most high-profile investigations since the body’s inception in 2019 as part of Albania’s EU-mandated judicial reforms. The probe began in October 2025, when SPAK notified Balluku of charges for “violating the equality of participants in public tenders or auctions” under Article 258 of the Criminal Code.
The allegations focus on two major infrastructure projects in 2021: the €190 million Llogara Tunnel in southern Albania and a section of the Tirana Outer Ring Road.
Prosecutors claim Balluku, in collaboration with others including the director of the Albanian Road Authority, manipulated bidding processes to favor specific companies, resulting in inflated costs and damage to state funds.
The case escalated rapidly. In November 2025, a special court suspended Balluku from her duties and barred her from leaving the country, citing risks of evidence tampering and witness intimidation.
SPAK formally indicted her in December, prompting calls for her immunity to be lifted to enable arrest.
Prime Minister Rama, a longtime ally of Balluku, initially defended her, arguing the charges were procedural rather than outright corruption and that she posed no flight risk.
He dismissed her during a cabinet reshuffle on 26 February, framing it as a response to the ongoing probe, though Balluku had reportedly offered her resignation multiple times.
The parliamentary rejection has drawn sharp international criticism, highlighting the tension between Albania’s political elite and its anti-corruption institutions. The Dutch Embassy in Tirana issued a statement condemning the vote, emphasizing that “swift and unimpeded prosecution of high-level corruption is essential for Albania’s EU integration.”
— ReinoutVos (@ReinoutVos) March 12, 2026
Similarly, the German Embassy reacted post-vote, urging Albania to align with EU standards on rule of law.
European Parliament members, including MEP Michael Gahler, have cited the Balluku case as evidence that corruption at the highest levels endangers Albania’s accession process, especially after the Constitutional Court affirmed SPAK’s authority to act.
This incident tests the credibility of Albania’s justice reform, a cornerstone of its EU aspirations. Since opening accession negotiations in 2022, Albania has made progress in combating organized crime, but political interference remains a stumbling block. The European Commission’s latest reports praise SPAK’s independence but warn of setbacks if high-profile cases are obstructed.
Opposition figures argue that Rama’s government applies double standards: while lower officials like former MP Alqi Bllako faced swift immunity revocation, Balluku benefits from protection.
Public outrage has fueled ongoing protests in Tirana, with clashes reported in February amid demands for Rama’s resignation.
Civic groups and media outlets, including our partners at Albanian Daily News, have covered the saga extensively, though some local outlets appear hesitant to delve deeply into government scandals.
Caption: Prime Minister Edi Rama is applauding behind his deputy Belinda Balluku in a file photo [Belinda Balluku’s account on X]
Updated: March 12, 2026 - 16:30
