Albania's judicial councils raise judge and prosecutor salaries

The High Judicial Council (KLGJ) and the High Prosecutorial Council (KLP) have independently decided to increase the reference salaries for judges and prosecutors in Albania. Following a Constitutional Court ruling that struck down previous salary formulas as unconstitutional, the KLGJ set a new reference salary of 222,425 lekë, plus a 14,000 lekë qualification supplement, effective August 1, 2026.

This decision aims to resolve a legal vacuum created by the Parliament's failure to implement the Constitutional Court's mandate before the July 31, 2026, deadline. The KLP reached a similar unanimous decision for the prosecution system, noting that the judiciary's functioning depends on these legal standards.

In addition to the new rates, the KLGJ has ordered the calculation of retroactive financial differences for the period between April 1, 2023, and July 31, 2026. The Ministry of Finance has been tasked with ensuring the necessary budget coverage. The Democratic Party has criticized the government, labeling the situation an “institutional deadlock” and accusing the majority of failing to respect Constitutional Court decisions.