The majority and opposition held a consultative meeting on Monday on the new division of parliamentary committees, following Prime Minister Edi Rama's proposal to increase their number from 8 to 11 and to merge the Committee on European Affairs with the Committee on Foreign Affairs. This change transfers the leadership of the committee previously led by the opposition to the majority.
The head of the DP parliamentary group, Gazment Bardhi, called this an authoritarian and unilateral action.
"It is unacceptable that such changes are announced in the SP Assembly and not through a joint process with the opposition. With the dissolution of the Integration Commission, the opposition loses its constructive role in the European integration process, a responsibility it has had for 21 years," said Bardhi.
He also rejected the majority's justification that the German Bundestag model is being followed, since according to him "in the Bundestag there is both a Foreign Affairs Committee and a European Affairs Committee, they are not united."
On the other hand, the leader of the SP parliamentary group, Taulant Balla, argued that the change is justified by the current phase of Albania's integration. Balla requested cooperation from the opposition on changes to the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly and to advance other institutional processes.
"At this important moment for EU accession, it is natural for the majority to lead the process through a more empowered and inclusive commission. It is imperative that we conclude this stage as soon as possible, in order to move on to the vote of confidence in the government and its program," said Balla.
Currently, the opposition has not yet submitted the names for the four committee chairmen that belong to it according to the new division, while the Socialist Party is reported to have selected its seven representatives.
