Many may have wondered why Edi Rama is not saying out loud that he will not allow the arrest of the Deputy Prime Minister.
Why doesn't this story end, and what is the prime minister taking time for?
Day by day, it becomes clear that he is caught between two fires: Balluk, who does not go to prison on the orders of his boss, and Brussels, which is ready to leave Albania in the same class if SPAK is prevented from cracking down on high-level corruption.
The Prime Minister suddenly chose to act on Thursday, after previously saying he would not accept the resignation and that there was no urgency.
Edi Rama gave a "proof" to the European Union on Thursday by removing Belinda Balluku from the government, when SPAK has actually requested her arrest.
Although Thursday itself seemed to fall outside the internal parliamentary order, far from a plenary session, Edi Rama was in fact obliged to give evidence on Friday.
Not for Tirana, but for Brussels. Where Edi Rama was asked during his last visit to allow the arrest of Balluk.
The EU brought to Tirana to voice its message, David McAllister, who made it clear: "Balluku is a critical test for Albania and the fight against corruption."
If Rama formally dismissed Balluku late on Thursday, this happened because COELA (ambassadors of EU member states) met in Brussels on Friday, where he was presented.
Interim Standards Assessment Report (IBAR) for Group 1 – Fundamentals.
As diplomatic sources claim, Edi Rama's offer, Balluk's removal, has not been enough for several member states, including the important Germany, which definitely wants his arrest.
It is not accidental that some government supporters make attacks on the level of corruption in Germany.
But Friday was not the only day. On Tuesday and Wednesday, the 17th Meeting of the EU-Albania Subcommittee on Justice, Freedom and Security will be held.
(Brussels, 3-4 March 2026).
Decision-making in this subcommittee will show whether we move forward with the intermediate milestones or remain stagnant.
Will Rama, with his own lobbying in European chancelleries, succeed in getting Balluk removed from the government, or will he be forced to do what SPAK demands?
EDI Rama has neither said yes nor no. He has simply taken his time. Until he can.
The question that remains is: is Edi Rama with his feet in a shoe from Balluk to blaze the path to the EU?
