Democratic MP Jorida Tabaku has reacted to the Constitutional Court's decision on the Belinda Balluku case. Tabaku writes that the majority has become a political shield for Balluku, while emphasizing that today there is no longer any justification to lift her immunity as requested by SPAK.
"Eight weeks ago, at the request of SPAK, the GJKKO decided to suspend Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Balluku from office. For eight weeks, the government has refused to implement this decision. For eight weeks in a row, Albania has had a Deputy Prime Minister in violation of the law. For eight weeks, a suspended official has had the opportunity to influence evidence, intimidate witnesses, and exercise functions that the law prohibits her from doing.
For 8 weeks, a minister accused of corruption has managed half of the state budget, while justice had decided otherwise. The majority turned into a political shield, refusing to implement a decision of an anti-corruption court.
Today, after the (non)decision of the Constitutional Court, there is no longer any justification. The (non)decision may be procedural, but the obligation to implement the law is political and moral.
The Constitutional Court could have spoken more clearly and forcefully. But even so, one thing remains indisputable: for 8 weeks in a row, the law has been knowingly violated by the government.
After the pressures, attacks and intimidation, the government no longer has any excuse. The Parliament no longer has any excuse for not lifting the immunity as SPAK demands. Maybe it is too late. Maybe some evidence has been damaged. But today justice has spoken and whoever attacked it must remain silent.
Respect for the 4 courageous judges who did not retreat from justice. This government today no longer has moral legitimacy. Not in behavior. Not in standards. Not in morality," writes Tabaku.