The debates on changes to the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly have highlighted not only procedural disagreements between the majority and the opposition, but also political tensions related to the role and powers of the Special Commission headed by Fatmir Xhafaj, a structure that for months has been considered by political factors within the country and international actors as an attempt to interfere in justice matters and the powers of SPAK.
According to VNA sources, at the meeting of the Council on Rules of Procedure, Mandates and Immunity, the Democratic Party requested the division of the Committee for Europe and Foreign Policy into two separate structures: a committee for European integration and another for foreign policy.
The DP has agreed to some of the changes related to the European integration process. The opposition agrees that integration laws should be approved with priority and also demands that the limitation on the number of laws that can be treated with priority procedure when it comes to integration legislation be removed.
However, some of the most controversial points still remain without consensus.
The DP opposes the reduction of speaking time from 10 minutes to 5 minutes, while the issue continues to be negotiated between the parties. Sources from the meeting indicate that a compromise formula is also being discussed.
Another point of contention is related to the reporting of institutions. According to the current formulation, the Xhafaj Commission will maintain the follow-up of resolutions, but not direct reporting of institutions. The DP demands that the heads of institutions report in plenary session.
The strongest clash was recorded between Ulsi Manja and Taulant Balla over articles 102 and 103 of the package.
Article 102 provided for the removal of the competence of the standing committees for post-legislative evaluation. Balla has stated that he has withdrawn from this article.
"I have withdrawn from 102. I have told you 100 times that I have withdrawn from 102. You will do theater now," he is said to have told Manja during the debate.
But Manja has requested that Article 103 be withdrawn as well.
"You should also withdraw from 103," he insisted.
"I'm not backing down from 103," Balla replied.
The core of the debate is related to the fact that Article 103 gives the Xhafaj Commission powers over the post-legislative process and the follow-up of resolutions. According to Manja's argument, if Article 102 falls and the permanent committees retain post-legislative control, then the logic of Article 103, which transfers these powers to the special structure, also falls.
So, the clash is not only about parliamentary technique, but also about institutional control and the balance of powers within the Assembly, at a time when the role of the Xhafaj Commission is seen by critics as an expansion of political influence on issues affecting justice reform and the architecture built around SPAK.
According to VNA sources, the session to approve the changes to the Assembly's Rules of Procedure has been scheduled for May 21.
