Parliament rejects SPAK's request for Balluk's immunity - Manja: There is no violation of the previous measure and no change in charges
With 82 votes against and 47 votes in favor, the Parliament has rejected the request of the Special Prosecution Office against Corruption and Organized Crime to lift the immunity of MP Belinda Balluku.
In this Thursday's plenary session, the majority and the opposition presented their reports regarding the "Balluku" issue.
The majority rapporteur, Ulsi Manja, during his presentation said that the majority is against SPAK's request since MP Balluku has not violated the previous security measure and the charge remains the same, violation of equality in tenders.
"A prison sentence is requested for the member of this Parliament, who is being investigated for nothing more nor less than "violation of equality in public tenders or auctions" and not for corruption charges. The Parliament today does not have the power to declare guilt or innocence, but serves as a filter.
On December 16, SPAK submitted a request to the Parliament for authorization to deprive Balluk of his liberty. The request relates to the replacement of a previously imposed measure, so we are not in the conditions where authorization is required for an initial measure.
SPAK had a free hand to conduct investigations and criminal prosecution for the charge of violating equality in tenders.
The personal security measure of banning her from leaving the country, a measure that continues to this day, appears to have been strictly implemented by the MP.
Today they are seeking to replace it with prison arrest or house arrest, claiming that the needs of the security measure have been aggravated. We are not in the situation that the first measure has not been respected, but that the conditions have been aggravated. The request for authorization must be accompanied by a report and evidence. The council judges only on the basis of the request, the report and evidence, the council does not administer evidence. We give judgment on what the parties present.
"Our assessment of the request in the Council, from the review of the materials, results that the criminal charges against Balluk have not changed."
Manja emphasized that the majority report takes into account all Albanian legislation, but also international conventions, such as the Venice Commission.
"During all these days, there was talk about legal and European standards for such requests. Our report takes as its basis these standards, first the Constitution, the standards of Criminal Procedure, but also the Venice Commission.
According to the Code of Criminal Procedure, substitution requires new circumstances, new evidence, or a violation of the previously imposed measure has been established.
The majority's decision to reject SPAK's request was announced at the meeting of the socialist parliamentary group this Monday.
Significant fluctuations in the foreign exchange market – Dollar and Pound strengthen
The US dollar has registered an increase in value this morning compared to the day before, being bought today at 82.6 lek and being sold at 83.6 lek......
Strong growth of Airbnb in Albania, nearly 23 thousand active properties/ Listings have increased by 70% since 2022, Tirana leads the market
A study published by Investropa shows that the short-term rental market in Albania is expanding rapidly. As of early 2026, there were up to 23,000 active......
Stronger controls on suspicious money - New rules for banks, businesses and transparency of company owners
The inclusion of the financing of weapons of mass destruction in law for the first time, stronger control over the beneficial owners of companies, and more......
Will the war bring about a strengthening of the Euro? - Analysis/ Exchange rate and oil prices, a double blow to the economy
The increase in oil prices in Albania as a result of the conflict in the Middle East is expected to have consequences throughout the supply chain. According......
Belgium, Bulgaria and Slovenia warned - European Commission has initiated proceedings against three member states
The European Commission has sent formal warnings to Belgium, Bulgaria and Slovenia due to insufficient progress in aligning national legislation with new......
The government expands the funding scheme for youth organizations - State grants can also be benefited by informal groups
Individuals who benefit from state grants for youth projects will now have more opportunities for funding. The government has approved several changes to......
The well-paid are increasing in the labor market/ From minimum wage to high wages. How the distribution changed within a year
In the last quarter of 2025, a slight movement of the salary structure towards higher levels is observed, compared to the same period in 2024. The data show......
Tesla, energy supply for the British - Will use solar energy and battery storage business
Elon Musk's Tesla could soon start supplying British homes with electricity after being granted a license, bringing a new competitor to the market at a time......
