Albania’s Constitutional Court on Friday rejected Prime Minister Edi Rama’s request to overturn the suspension of Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, a ruling that leaves in place the decision by the Special Court Against Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO). The verdict also undercuts Rama’s claim that he could block a separate legal process seeking to lift Balluku’s parliamentary immunity.
Balluku, a close ally of the Socialist leader, has been accused of favoritism in public procurement, including contracts for a 5.9-kilometer tunnel in southern Albania and sections of the capital’s “Ring Road.” Prosecutors from the Special Prosecution Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) uncovered communications suggesting that Balluku influenced tender outcomes worth tens of millions of euros.
The Constitutional Court, in a marathon session exceeding 12 hours, saw a deadlocked vote of 4-4 among its eight sitting judges, leaving Rama’s challenge unresolved. As a result, Balluku remains suspended from her duties. The court argued that ministers, unlike elected members of parliament, do not enjoy immunity from suspension under Albanian law.
Rama had contended that Balluku, as a member of the Council of Ministers, enjoyed parliamentary immunity and that her suspension violated her legal protections. SPAK prosecutors countered, emphasizing that ministers are appointed executive officials and not “elected officials” as defined under electoral law, which includes deputies, mayors, and local council members.
Belinda Balluku has denied all charges and pledged full cooperation with judicial authorities. Rama called the original suspension by GJKKO an “open interference in the independence of the executive branch,” arguing that it undermines government authority.
International media have covered the case extensively. France’s Le Figaro highlighted that the accusations against Balluku involve multi-million-euro procurement scandals, noting that combating corruption and organized crime is a key condition for Albania’s European Union accession. Several other ministers in Rama’s governments since 2013 have also faced judicial scrutiny for corruption-related offenses.
The Constitutional Court’s decision underscores tensions between Albania’s executive and judicial branches, illustrating the country’s ongoing struggle to balance governance with the rule of law. Albania faces increasing scrutiny from the EU and other international partners over its commitment to fight corruption and ensure judicial independence.
Rama’s government now faces the separate challenge of responding to SPAK’s request to lift Balluku’s parliamentary immunity, which could pave the way for her arrest and further investigation into the alleged corruption scandals. Observers say the outcome will have significant political implications ahead of upcoming local and parliamentary elections.