The head of the DP parliamentary group, Gazment Bardhi, has opposed the majority's initiative on magistrates' salaries, calling it unconstitutional. During his speech, Bardhi warned that the law will be sent back to the Constitutional Court and, according to him, will be overturned.
"With this law that you have brought, we will come back here, because the law will go to the Constitutional Court and it will overturn it again. Because this proposal is in open violation of the decision of the Constitutional Court, not only by not reflecting it, but by doing the opposite of what is required," declared Bardhi from the Human Rights Commission. He stated that the justice reform aimed to restore the integrity of judges and prosecutors and that their salary should not be treated as a form of mercy.
"When we reformed the justice system, we were clear that we had to restore integrity to judges and prosecutors. We cannot treat them like charity today. Ultimately, we have to treat them at least as ourselves," he said. Bardhi also brought to attention the salary increases of MPs, the Prime Minister and ministers, emphasizing that the latter also benefit from a number of other expenses. "We increased our own salary a few years ago by about 50%, the Prime Minister by more than 60%, the ministers by more than 60%. We are paid for oil, telephone and everything else. There can be no comparison with MPs or ministers," said the head of the DP parliamentary group.
According to Bardhi, the salaries of magistrates should be at a higher level than those of other high-ranking state officials. "Yes, a judge should surpass even the deputy, the minister, and the president. What is Bajram Begaj doing sitting idle in the office and not being able to get more from a magistrate?", declared Bardhi. In conclusion, he emphasized the role of judges in confronting crime and handing down severe sentences. "These are the judges who are facing crime and handing down life sentences. Therefore, they deserve integrity and, I repeat, we cannot treat them as alms," concluded Bardhi.
