The Balluk case blackens Albania! Report The European Commission's report on the rule of law in Albania also focused on developments related to former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, who is under investigation by SPAK for issues related to corruption and tender procedures.
In the document, the European Commission raises concerns about the Parliament's decision not to approve the lifting of Balluk's immunity as an MP, following the request of the Special Prosecution Office (SPAK), linking this to the principles of checks and balances between powers, as well as the principle of equality before the law.
"The Assembly's refusal to lift the immunity of an MP has raised concerns regarding the principles of checks and balances, as well as equality before the law," the report states.
According to the EU, in March 2026, the Parliament rejected SPAK's request to lift the immunity of a deputy accused of violating the principle of equality in tender procedures.
The European Commission assesses that this decision has raised concerns about the respect of the principles of the separation of powers and the possibility that senior officials may be treated differently before the law. The report also refers to the initiative of a group of MPs from the governing majority for amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code, which aimed to expand the category of officials who cannot be suspended from office as a security measure during judicial proceedings.
According to Brussels, these changes have raised questions about whether they could harm the effectiveness of criminal investigations, especially those related to corruption at high levels of administration.
“The Assembly’s refusal to lift the immunity of a deputy has raised concerns regarding the principles of checks and balances, as well as equality before the law. In March 2026, the Assembly rejected a request by SPAK to lift the immunity of a deputy, accused of violating the principle of equality in tender procedures. This refusal raised concerns regarding the respect of the principles of checks and balances, as well as equality before the law.
In parallel, a group of MPs from the ruling majority proposed amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code, aiming to expand the category of officials who cannot be suspended from office as a precautionary measure during the development of judicial processes. These amendments raised concerns that they could hinder the effectiveness of criminal investigations, including investigations into high-level corruption, and that the timing of their proposal could create a perception of impunity,” the report explains.
The EU report meanwhile appreciates the progress made by Albania in judicial reform and the work of SPAK in the fight against high-level corruption, but underlines that political interference, protection through immunity and legal changes perceived as obstacles to investigations remain concerns for the rule of law.
