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"200 million euros of abuse"/ Politico.eu: Rama protects Balluku from arrest… Brussels warns of consequences
2026-03-12 20:27:28 / POLITIKË
International media specializing in European and European Union politics have paid attention to today's political developments in Albania, where the socialist majority led by Edi Rama did not lift the immunity of his former deputy, Belinda Balluku, blocking SPAK's request in the Albanian Parliament.
In the published article, it is emphasized that Rama is protecting Balluk from arrest, following accusations of 200 million euros in tender abuses, as well as the consequences that Albania risks for EU integration.
Albania's parliament voted on Thursday against lifting the immunity of former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, who is facing corruption charges, prompting warnings from Brussels about the implications for the country's EU membership.
Prime Minister Edi Rama and his ruling Socialist Party defended Balluku, who is being targeted for arrest by Albania's special prosecutor's office, SPAK, for interfering in infrastructure projects worth over 200 million euros.
Balluku was dismissed by Rama in late February, both as deputy prime minister and as minister of infrastructure and energy. She denies any wrongdoing.
“The EU notes the results of today’s vote in the Albanian parliament. Commitment to the rule of law and the fight against corruption are of great importance for the EU accession process,” a European Commission spokesperson told POLITICO on Thursday.
“Ensuring a conducive environment for SPAK to carry out its work effectively is essential to credibly support Albania’s progress towards EU membership.”
The embassies of Germany, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands also reacted to the vote, echoing Brussels' sentiment calling for the judicial process not to be interfered with.
For Albania to join the EU, “the effective prosecution of corruption, even in high-profile cases, is an essential prerequisite,” the German embassy in Tirana said in a statement, calling on the Albanian government to respect the rule of law. “It is our clear expectation that the judiciary will be able to prosecute these cases quickly and without hindrance,” it added.
Rama responded with a statement on X, saying that “we all agree 100 percent” with the “expressed principles.” He insisted on Albania’s path to the EU by 2030 and that the government in Tirana fully supports SPAK.
“The governing majority today did exactly what any democratic parliament in Europe would do,” the prime minister wrote. He argued that approving prosecutors’ requests to arrest an MP must be in line with the constitution and cannot be treated as “crossing Schengen borders without checks.”
Balluk's predecessor, Arben Ahmetaj, is also wanted by SPAK on corruption and money laundering charges. Albania's Justice Ministry has filed a request with Swiss authorities to extradite him by the end of 2025. Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj, another member of Rama's party, has been in custody since his arrest in 2025 on similar charges.
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