The Chairman of the Democratic Party Parliamentary Group, Gazment Bardhi, has reacted to Prime Minister Edi Rama's stance on the issue of former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, accusing him of using his parliamentary majority to protect her from justice.
In a public reaction, Bardhi states that Rama is now "checkmate" in the Balluku case and that, despite attempts to distance himself from this issue, his political responsibility is clear. According to Bardhi, concrete proof of political protection is the vote of March 12, 2026, when 82 deputies of the governing majority rejected SPAK's request to authorize Balluku's arrest.
The head of the DP Parliamentary Group emphasizes that this decision has also been highlighted by the European Commission in its latest report on Albania, where concerns were raised about the checks and balances between powers, as well as the implementation of the principle of equality before the law. Bardhi also raises accusations of political bargaining between Rama and segments of the judiciary, stating that Albania's European path cannot be held hostage by corruption and political patronage.
Gazment Bardhi's full response:
"Edi Rama, checkmate Belinda Balluku!"
In the case of Belinda Balluku, Edi Rama has been caught checkmated. No matter how hard he tries to wash his hands, he cannot hide his responsibility for the political operation of protecting Belinda Balluku from justice. Edi Rama's words are not needed to reveal his deceptions. His actions are enough. 82 votes of his governing majority, on March 12, 2026, rejected SPAK's request for authorization to arrest Belinda Balluku.
This is Edi Rama's advocacy for Belinda Balluku: not with words, but with action in Parliament. This decision has also been highlighted by the European Commission in its latest report on Albania, raising serious concerns about the checks and balances between powers, as well as respect for the principle of equality before the law.
"Edi Rama may be hostage to Belinda Balluku. He may be bargaining with segments of SPAK to share corrupt power, but Albania does not deserve to remain their hostage. Albania's European path cannot be held hostage by corruption, Belinda Balluku's political protection, and the bargains of political justice."
