The Chairman of the DP Parliamentary Group, Gazment Bardhi, has reacted on the social network Facebook regarding the debate on the Prosecutor's Office's request against Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku.
In his reaction, Bardhi accuses Prime Minister Rama of trying to turn a criminal investigation into a theoretical debate on the separation of powers, describing the situation as "a matter of fear of losing power."
According to him, the law is clear and provides for suspension from duty as a procedural measure, which - emphasizes Bardhi - does not dismiss the minister and does not paralyze the institution, but temporarily prohibits the exercise of the function to protect the criminal process.
"Saying that 'function is suspended' is a deliberate distortion. The court does not suspend the government. It suspends an individual from exercising his duty," he says.
Full message
When the fear of losing power becomes a principle; ceremonial photographs neither create political immunity nor replace the law.
Edi Rama is trying to turn a criminal investigation against Belinda Balluku into a theoretical debate about the separation of powers. But this is not a matter of principle. It is a matter of fear.
The law is clear: suspension from office is a measure provided for in the Code. It does not dismiss the minister, it does not paralyze the state, it does not affect the institution. It temporarily prohibits the person under investigation from exercising his function, in order to protect the criminal process.
To say that "the function is suspended" is a deliberate distortion. The court does not suspend the government. It suspends an individual from exercising his or her duties.
In the EU and the US, when an official is involved in a corruption investigation, he leaves. He resigns. He does not change the law to protect himself, as Edi Rama is doing. Therefore, his signing of the law change at the very moment when Parliament should consider the request for Belinda Balluku's arrest has nothing to do with any constitutional principle. It is political interference to weaken the investigation and create a new immunity for the government.
But the crux of the matter today is not just the suspension. The crux of the matter is the request for the arrest of Belinda Balluku, who has been in the Assembly for almost two months and is being treated by Edi Rama as if she does not exist.
EU and US representatives have been clear: the procedure must proceed without delay. The Mandates Council must convene. Parliament must vote.
International respect is not earned with protocol photos. It is earned with respect for the rule of law.
Because if you obstruct justice in Tirana, no ceremonial photo in Washington will save you.
