This Thursday, the Parliament of Albania will convene for another plenary session, following the tensions and fierce clashes that marked parliamentary proceedings last Thursday.
Lawmakers are expected to consider a packed agenda of 18 items, including an interpellation with Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja, as well as several draft laws concerning the economy, the banking system, business and the administration of confiscated assets.
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The session is taking place amid political tension, with the clashes of October 22 still fresh. On that day, ruling-party and opposition lawmakers engaged in heated arguments, physical confrontations and incidents that led to a temporary suspension of proceedings.
During the previous session, Democratic Party lawmakers blocked the speaker’s podium and objected to draft laws being put to a vote without debate.
In one of the most tense moments, lawmaker Flamur Noka took the microphone from Socialist parliamentary group leader Taulant Balla, then tried to take the voting cards from ruling-party lawmakers.
The situation escalated into clashes between lawmakers, prompting the intervention of the Republican Guard. Despite the opposition’s objections, the Socialists continued voting on the draft laws, and the session ended amid tensions.
The parliamentary clashes took place as students and citizens were protesting outside the Parliament building, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama.
Opposition lawmakers called for Parliament to also discuss police actions against protesters and the detention of students.
Following the incidents, the Socialist Party’s parliamentary group called for disciplinary measures against 20 opposition lawmakers.
For six of them, including Flamur Noka, Belind Këlliçi, Fidel Kreka, Edi Paloka, Besart Xhaferri and Luçiano Boçi, the Socialists sought a 60-day suspension from parliamentary proceedings. Shorter disciplinary measures were proposed for the other lawmakers. The request was submitted to the Secretariat for Procedures, Voting and Ethics.
Several significant legislative initiatives are on today’s agenda.
One of the first items is an interpellation with Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja, requested by Democratic Party lawmaker Ina Zhupa.
Parliament will then consider the new draft law “On the Bank of Albania,” which requires a qualified majority to pass. The agenda also includes a government normative act dated September 25, 2026, providing for an amendment to the law on excise duties.
Another item is the ratification of a financial cooperation agreement with Germany to continue the program to renovate dormitories at public universities in Albania in accordance with energy-efficiency principles.
Lawmakers will also discuss the draft law on the Fiscal Council of the Republic of Albania and the draft law on consumer protection.
A substantial part of the agenda concerns amendments to business legislation. Parliament will consider amendments to the laws on the National Business Center, business registration, and traders and commercial companies.
The same package also includes a draft law on the cross-border conversion, merger and division of commercial companies.
The session is also expected to consider amendments to the law on the administration of buildings confiscated as unauthorized constructions, to enable their use for the public interest or social housing, as well as amendments to the law on the administration of seized and confiscated assets.
Another draft law under consideration concerns amendments to the fisheries law.
The final part of the agenda includes three draft decisions concerning the organization and functioning of institutions. Two concern the structure, staffing and salary classification of personnel at the Central Election Commission, including employees who will be involved in organizing the 2027 local elections.
The other draft decision provides for changes to the organizational structure and staffing of the High Inspectorate for the Declaration and Audit of Assets and Conflicts of Interest.
