Prime Minister Edi Rama has issued strong criticism of the justice system, while openly expressing political support for Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, during a meeting of the parliamentary group of the Socialist Party of Albania.
During his speech, Rama also used irony towards the justice system, stating that its independence has reached a point where, according to him, a judge has issued 33 arrest warrants and forgotten to arrest himself.
"We have such an independent justice system that a judge issues 33 arrest warrants and forgets without arresting himself," Rama said.
At the same time, the head of government also spoke about his relationship with Balluku, revealing that she has submitted her resignation to him three times. According to Rama, the resignations were submitted once when charges were filed against her, once when she was suspended for the first time, and once again after a decision by the Constitutional Court. He said that he has rejected all resignations, emphasizing that he does not accept resignations made under pressure.
Rama added that he will not allow pressure from the prosecution, the media or the "popular court" to influence his decision-making. He stated that the decision to dismiss Balluk belongs to him alone and that he will make it when he deems it reasonable.
The Prime Minister also emphasized that Albania is in a phase of system transformation, adding that the balance between powers must be maintained and that, according to him, there is a risk that this balance will be violated by individual actions of prosecutors or judges.
