Albania judiciary faces salary dispute with government

judicial salary dispute Albania Petrit Malaj SPAK Constitutional Court

Albania is facing an institutional conflict between the judiciary and the executive over the blockage of salaries for judges, prosecutors, and judicial administration. The Special Court of Appeal against Corruption and Organized Crime has filed a lawsuit against the Ministry of Finance and the Tirana Treasury branch, alleging that their actions have illegally prevented the execution of payrolls for August 2026.

Judicial associations have also filed criminal charges against Finance Minister Petrit Malaj and other officials, alleging abuse of duty and obstruction of court decisions. The General Assembly of Judges has issued a statement demanding the immediate implementation of Constitutional Court decisions and the release of funds, warning that the current situation undermines judicial independence and the authority of the Constitution.

Prime Minister Edi Rama has defended the Ministry of Finance, arguing that the judiciary cannot unilaterally authorize the release of Treasury funds without parliamentary approval. He stated that the budget must be managed through the legislature and that the current legal stance is consistent with existing laws. Meanwhile, the Administrative Court has ordered the Ministry of Finance to process new salary scales, a move Rama criticized as bypassing the necessary parliamentary process.

Entities

Albania · Constitutional Court of Albania · Edi Rama · High Judicial Council · Ministry of Finance · Petrit Malaj · SPAK · Sokol Sadushi · Supreme Court of Albania

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] The Criminal and Civil Chambers in Tirana, as well as courts in Fier, Lushnje, and Vlora, have experienced work boycotts or suspensions.
[● 3 SOURCES] Judicial and prosecutorial associations filed criminal charges against Finance Minister Petrit Malaj and other officials. gijotina.com · www.balkanweb.com · javanews.al
[● 2 SOURCES] The criminal charges include allegations of abuse of duty and obstruction of the execution of court decisions. gijotina.com · www.balkanweb.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Prime Minister Edi Rama stated that the judiciary cannot authorize the release of Treasury funds without parliamentary approval. gijotina.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Sokol Sadushi argued that the budget must adapt to the Constitution, rather than the Constitution adapting to the budget. rtvislam.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Sokol Sadushi stated that the salary blockage affects judicial independence and the implementation of Constitutional Court decisions. rtvislam.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Criminal and Civil Chambers in Tirana, as well as courts in Fier, Lushnje, and Vlora, have boycotted work.
[DISPUTED] The salary increase requests would cost the budget an additional 40 million euros per year. abcnews.al
[DISPUTED] The salary review for the 2023–2026 period would have an effect of 125 million euros.
[○ 1 SOURCE] The court seeks to establish the illegality of the actions of the Ministry of Finance and the Tirana Treasury branch regarding the blockage of salaries for August 2026. zhurnal.mk
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Special Court of Appeal against Corruption and Organized Crime filed a lawsuit against the Ministry of Finance and the Tirana Treasury branch. zhurnal.mk
[○ 1 SOURCE] The General Assembly of Judges approved a statement demanding immediate execution of payrolls and implementation of Constitutional Court decisions. rtvislam.com