FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
The EU report on the rule of law in Albania exposes the failure of key reforms, the politicization of the anti-corruption commission, and the lack of real will for institutional cleansing.
After the attacks and pressures of recent days by the Minister of Justice, a strong slap has come from the European Commission.
In its 2025 rule of law report, the EC gives Albania a cold and critical assessment, revealing deep and structural problems that are undermining citizens' trust in justice and democratic governance.
One of the most serious concerns is the work and limited impact of the Special Parliamentary Commission for Reform in Good Governance, the Rule of Law and the Fight against Corruption, known as the “Xhafaj” Commission. Established in May 2024 without broad political consensus, this commission, according to the report, “was ignored by most justice institutions, which chose to engage only formally, due to concerns about their independence and constitutional competences.”
The Commission assesses that "deficiencies in the Commission's work, methodology and transparency limit its impact and risk duplicating the work of existing institutions". Furthermore, the report stresses that "it must be ensured that its work does not undermine the positive results of the 2016 justice reform and guarantees the independence of the new justice institutions".
Meanwhile, political pressure on the judiciary has increased significantly. One of the most shocking episodes was the open reaction of the executive and legislative branches after the arrest of a senior official by SPAK. The report highlights that "this episode was followed by public pressure on SPAK and the judicial institutions, raising serious concerns about their independence."
“ Although efforts at repression and prevention have increased, corruption remains widespread in many areas, including in areas with high risk of corruption. Limited transparency in public procurement procedures, particularly for public-private partnerships, remains a source of concern86. Specialization in the investigation and prosecution of corruption in procurement is weak. Misuse of state funds during election campaigns remains an area of concern ,” the report states.
SPAK, despite the pressures, is considered the most effective institution in the fight against high-level corruption. During 2024, this structure finally convicted 106 people, of whom 13 were high-level figures, including former ministers, former mayors and former judges. However, the report raises the alarm that "the large volume of cases and the lack of resources in staff and infrastructure risk preventing SPAK from building a sustainable track record against corruption".
Other institutions that should help prevent corruption, such as the HIDAA or the State Police, are noted for having "weak capacities, limited asset control, and a lack of effectiveness in verifications." The report describes that asset declarations "remain publicly undisclosed, with access only after special authorizations, which undermines transparency."
Another structural problem is the Assembly's failure to implement the decisions of the Constitutional Court. "The failure of the Parliament to implement some of the decisions of the Constitutional Court jeopardizes the principle of the rule of law and reinforces institutional distrust," the report states.
In addition to justice, media freedom is also in decline. The report notes that "media ownership is concentrated in a few powerful business groups with political connections," while journalists face "personal attacks, strategic lawsuits, and increasing censorship." Self-regulation in the media sector remains "weak and ineffective."
In the end, the report is an urgent call for real political will, far from the facade of propaganda, to return institutions to the function of citizens and not of power. The EU clearly warned: without independence of justice, without a real fight against corruption and without strong institutions, the path to European integration will remain only an illusion. / Pamphlet
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