Albanian Parliament Debates Removal of Deputy Belinda Balluku's Immunity

Gazment Bardhi, head of the Democratic Party’s parliamentary group, urged the Special Prosecution Office (SPAK) to submit a new request to the Albanian Parliament to strip Deputy Belinda Balluku of her parliamentary immunity and order her arrest. He cited a European Commission report that criticised the parliament’s refusal to lift immunity, saying it undermines the rule of law and equal treatment before the courts.

Democratic MP Jorida Tabaku also condemned the parliament’s vote to retain Balluku’s immunity, arguing it hampers Albania’s EU integration process and violates the principle of equality before the law. Tabaku linked the issue to broader concerns about media freedom and government transparency, echoing the Commission’s warning about the need for consistent legal standards.

Both legislators called for SPAK to act promptly and for the parliament to follow the legal standards set out by the EU report, highlighting the political tension over parliamentary oversight and anti‑corruption reforms in Albania.