Opposition MPs abandon plenary session, demand approval of protest amendments

Former Prime Minister Sali Berisha stated that the parliamentary group will not take part in the Assembly’s sessions, but will continue work in committees, until the government allows the discussion of amendments submitted by Democratic MPs, which aim to change the laws demanded by citizens gathered in protest.

All representatives of the Democratic Party respected their leader’s order and did not appear in the session hall. None of them questioned Berisha’s decision, leaving the hall empty on the opposition side. The absence from plenary sessions will last until the end of the session, if the majority continues to reject the draft laws that aim to abolish acts affecting protected areas, a stance that fully aligns with the demands of the protesters on the boulevard.

The four legal initiatives of the DP include: the draft law to remove the changes to the law on protected areas, the repeal of the law on strategic investments, the annulment of the Mountains Package, and the repeal of certain provisions of the law on cultural heritage.

Meanwhile, the Democrats’ week began with a parliamentary boycott, but also with a step at the Special Prosecution Office. The head of the group, Gazment Bardhi, went to SPAK to file a criminal complaint against Prime Minister Edi Rama and Minister Blendi Gonxhe. In the document, the DP accuses them of ‘Abuse of Office’ and ‘Violation of Equality in Tenders’ in connection with the 4.2 million euro financing of the Kanye West event.