# Albanian judicial salary increases and political dispute

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/albanian-judicial-salary-increases-and-political-dispute
> Updated: 2026-08-27T07:35:05.000Z. Sources: 24. Developments: 2.

The High Judicial Council (KLGJ) and the High Prosecutorial Council (KLP) of Albania have independently moved to increase reference salaries for judges and prosecutors. This action follows a Constitutional Court ruling that struck down previous salary formulas as unconstitutional. 

Effective August 1, 2026, the KLGJ set a new reference salary of 222,425 lek, supplemented by a 14,000 lek qualification supplement. The KLP reached a similar unanimous decision for the prosecution system. These measures aim to resolve a legal vacuum caused by Parliament’s failure to implement the Constitutional Court’s mandate before the July 31, 2026, deadline. The KLP noted that the functioning of the judiciary depends on these legal standards.

The councils have also ordered the calculation of retroactive financial differences covering the period from April 1, 2023, to July 31, 2026, with the Ministry of Finance tasked with ensuring budget coverage. 

Political opposition remains sharp. The Democratic Party has criticized the government, labeling the situation an “institutional deadlock” and accusing the majority of failing to respect Constitutional Court decisions and the separation of powers.

## Claims

- The Kosovo Judicial Council (KGJK) rejected requests to reinstate Serbian judges and staff who resigned in 2022. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- The KGJK decision to reject the reinstatements was made with 9 votes in favor, 1 against, and 1 abstention. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Acting President Albulena Haxhiu welcomed the proposal to relieve the Serbian judges of their duties. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Afërdita Bytyqi was elected as the deputy chair of the KGJK. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The OSCE called on the KGJK to fill vacant positions quickly through transparent procedures. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Ismail Tasholli is organizing marches in Pristina and The Hague regarding the Special Court verdict. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The European Union expressed deep concern regarding the KGJK decision, stating it appears incompatible with Kosovo law and the rule of law. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The Kosovo Judicial Council (KGJK) has suspended judge Avdirrahman Gashi. (single source)
- Avdirrahman Gashi was arrested on suspicion of abuse of office. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-27: Kosovo Judicial Council rejects reinstatement of Serbian judges

The Kosovo Judicial Council rejected requests from Serbian judges to rescind their 2022 resignations. The EU and OSCE expressed concern, urging the maintenance of a multi-ethnic judicial system.

20 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/afrdita-bytyqi-elected-vice-president-of-kosovo-judicial-council

### 2026-08-26: Albania's judicial councils raise judge and prosecutor salaries

Albania's judicial and prosecutorial councils have raised reference salaries for judges and prosecutors to resolve a legal vacuum following a Constitutional Court ruling and parliamentary inaction.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/high-judicial-council-approves-salary-increases-for-albanian-judges

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Cite as: Albanian judicial salary increases and political dispute. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/albanian-judicial-salary-increases-and-political-dispute