[REVISION HISTORY]

Albanian judicial salary crisis and legal challenges

Updated 25 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-09-18 18:13 UTC → 2026-09-28 08:52 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The dispute over judicial and prosecutorial salaries in Albania has escalated into an institutional crisis. Following the filing of criminal charges against Finance Minister Petrit Malaj on September 10, 2026, judicial associations alleged abuse of duty regarding unpaid August salaries. Minister Malaj defended the government, citing a 40 million euro annual burden, while Chief Justice Sokol Sadushi characterized the impasse as a constitutional issue. On September 12, Prime Minister Edi Rama proposed a salary coefficient increase from 0.36 to 0.38 of the President’s salary. On September 17, the Albanian Parliament passed this legislation, and President Bajram Begaj subsequently decreed the law. This triggered immediate backlash from the Democratic Party and four major judicial organizations, including the Union of Judges of Albania and the Association of Prosecutors. These groups announced plans to challenge the law in the Constitutional Court, alleging it was passed without proper financial analysis or consultation and violates previous court decisions. The European Association of Judges (EAJ) issued a warning that the Parliament is attempting to bypass Constitutional Court Decision No. ~~15/2026. The EAJ claims~~ 15/2026, claiming the ~~new~~ bill ignores ~~specific~~ reform mandates ~~by proposing a problematic retroactive recalculation of salaries, which threatens the rule of law~~ and threatens judicial independence. ~~The EAJ intends~~ In an attempt to ~~bring~~ resolve the ~~matter~~ tension, Prime Minister Rama invited judicial leaders to ~~its~~ a joint working table to seek a long-term solution. However, major judicial institutions—including the Supreme Court, the General ~~Assembly in Lisbon this October~~ Prosecution, and ~~inform international actors. On September 18,~~ the ~~ruling majority secured 84 votes to pass the legislation regarding magistrate salaries, alongside~~ High Prosecutorial Council—have declined the ~~appointment of Ervin Demos as Minister of~~ invitation. Sokol Sadushi stated that because the ~~Interior. This legislative success follows a period of political instability and internal shifts within~~ law is currently under review by the ~~majority, including~~ Constitutional Court, discussing the ~~departure of deputy Marjana Koçeku.~~ matter now would be “inappropriate.” The ~~voting outcome is viewed as a political signal from Edi Rama~~ Union of Judges of Albania indicated they remain open to ~~supporters and financiers following recent political unrest.~~ dialogue regarding the justice system only after the Court has issued its ruling.

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