Prime Minister Edi Rama stated that Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku is facing a case with the justice system, while clarifying that his comments concern only the principle and the standard, not the substance of the investigation.
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During an interview with journalist Rudina Xhunga on the Prime Minister’s “Flasim” podcast, Rama said that Balluku is not being protected by him or anyone else, and that the responsibility for defending herself lies with her.
He argued that two different issues had become intertwined in Balluku’s case. According to Rama, the suspension of a minister from office was an absurd and unprecedented measure in world history, while a prosecutor and a judge, meeting in the same room, took it upon themselves to exercise the powers of the prime minister, parliament and president.
“I did not challenge them; rather, the Constitution of Albania and an independent branch of power were challenged. We are not independent of the law and must comply with it, while they are independent of us. But they are not independent to the point of making decisions for us,” Rama said.
The prime minister said that a red line had been crossed in that case and that his stance was cynical in relation to what lies ahead. He added that SPAK had entered his territory as prime minister, that of the parliamentary majority, and the territory of the president.
Rama stressed that he has not spoken about the substance of Balluku’s case, just as he has not commented on Beqaj’s case, for which he said he is still waiting to see where the corruption lies, as he has not seen it so far.
“Balluku has a case with the justice system and neither I nor anyone else is protecting her there. She defends herself, insofar as it is up to her to defend herself,” Rama said.
Regarding Erion Veliaj, the head of government described the situation of the elected mayor in pre-trial detention as “the absurdity of the capital” and said it is impossible to communicate with him.
