Albanian Parliament Descends into Chaos Amid Corruption Probe Against Deputy Prime Minister
TIRANA, Albania — Albania’s parliament erupted into disorder on Thursday as opposition lawmakers clashed with police during heated protests over corruption allegations targeting Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku. The unrest unfolded amid growing tensions surrounding a request by the country’s Special Anti-Corruption and Organized Crime Structure (SPAK) to lift Balluku’s parliamentary immunity, enabling her potential arrest on charges linked to major infrastructure projects.
Members of the opposition Democratic Party ignited black flares and engaged in scuffles with police officers inside the parliamentary chamber, disrupting proceedings as the nation’s new ombudsperson was about to take the oath. Lawmakers threw water at the speaker and occupied seats reserved for government ministers in an effort to halt the session. Police intervened, pushing back the opposition members and allowing the confirmation to continue.
The turmoil comes as SPAK formally requested parliament to approve the removal of Balluku’s immunity, a critical step before any legal action can proceed. The vote is scheduled for Friday, and opposition members have demanded access to the formal corruption allegations before casting their ballots. According to SPAK, Balluku, who also serves as the Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, is accused of engaging in corrupt practices that favored certain companies involved in high-value infrastructure projects, including a 3.7-mile tunnel in southern Albania and the capital city Tirana’s ring road. These projects are valued at hundreds of millions of euros.
Balluku, considered the closest ally of Prime Minister Edi Rama, has denied all accusations. In a parliamentary address prior to a court appearance in November, she dismissed the charges as “mudslinging” and politically motivated. Nonetheless, SPAK issued a criminal indictment against her on October 31, alleging favoritism in the tunnel tender, and later added charges related to the Tirana road construction project on November 21. That same day, a court initially removed her from office.
The Socialist Party, led by Prime Minister Rama, secured a fourth consecutive term earlier this year, underscoring the political stakes involved. Opposition protests have intensified since former Prime Minister Sali Berisha faced corruption-related house arrest from December 2023 to November 2024 and remains under judicial supervision by the Albanian Special Appeal Court for Corruption and Organized Crime (GJPAKKO).
International observers have closely monitored the developments. The U.S. Department of State has remained notably silent on the reinstatement of Balluku despite the serious allegations. Meanwhile, SPAK’s role as a specialized anti-corruption body continues to be pivotal in Albania’s efforts to combat entrenched corruption, a key condition tied to the country’s aspirations to join the European Union.
The parliamentary chaos highlights the deep divisions within Albania’s political landscape and the challenges facing governance amid ongoing corruption probes. As the vote on lifting Balluku’s immunity approaches, the country watches closely, aware that the outcome could have significant implications for Albania’s rule of law and its international standing.
For more information on Albania’s anti-corruption efforts, visit the European Commission’s Albania page. To follow updates on parliamentary proceedings, see the official Albanian Parliament website. Additional details on SPAK’s mandate and activities can be found at the Special Anti-Corruption and Organized Crime Structure official site.
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