Prime Minister Edi Rama announced legal changes this Monday following the Constitutional Court's decision that upheld the suspension of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure, Belinda Balluku.
During the meeting of the Socialist Party Parliamentary Group, Rama announced that legal interventions will be requested, but has not yet mentioned a specific article of the Criminal Procedure Code, but it is thought that the changes that may be requested may include article 242, which currently regulates the suspension of the exercise of duties for persons elected by the citizens.
In this context, it is assumed that the changes could make it possible for the suspension measure to be extended to members of the government, the President and other high-level officials, in addition to MPs and mayors, thus expanding the scope of its application in specific cases.
The Prime Minister also emphasizes that the intervention aims to guarantee the normal functioning of institutions, without paralyzing constitutional duties and preserving the independence of investigations and justice institutions.
Article 242 – Suspension of the exercise of a public duty or service
With the decision ordering the suspension of the exercise of a public duty or service, the court temporarily prohibits the defendant, in whole or in part, from the activity related to them.
This measure does not apply to persons elected under the electoral law.