Albania’s Prime Minister and Socialist Party leader Edi Rama told the party’s national assembly on Thursday that the ruling Socialists would not intervene in judicial matters, underscoring his government’s commitment to the independence of the justice system.
“We, the Socialist Party, have never interfered in the merits of any judicial case, especially when the courts have not yet reached a decision. We have not done this and we will never do it,” Rama said in a speech at the party assembly held in Tirana’s Palace of Congresses.
He said the justice reform undertaken under his leadership had removed political influence from the judiciary. “We have deliberately withdrawn the hands of the executive from any process of selecting, promoting or dismissing prosecutors and judges, as well as from any form of control over their activity,” Rama said.
Rama is also expected to present his new cabinet following the Socialist victory in the May 11 parliamentary elections.
The assembly will outline the government’s programme for the next four years, with EU integration remaining a priority under the slogan “Albania 2030 in the EU”. After Rama’s speech, the agenda foresees an open discussion among assembly members.