A corruption case involving Albania’s deputy prime minister has escalated into violent street clashes and a high-stakes political confrontation, exposing deep divisions within the country’s governing institutions and raising fresh concerns about the rule of law in a nation aspiring to move closer to the European Union.

On February 20, tensions erupted in the capital, Tirana, as demonstrators clashed with police outside government buildings. Protesters hurled petrol bombs and fireworks toward the office of Prime Minister Edi Rama, prompting security forces to respond with tear gas and water cannons. The unrest marked the fourth major wave of protests in recent weeks, underscoring mounting public anger over what critics describe as attempts to shield senior officials from accountability.

At the center of the controversy is Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, who is facing allegations of interfering in public tenders to favor certain companies. The case was initiated by Albania’s Special Anti-Corruption Structure, commonly known as SPAK, which formally indicted Balluku in December. Prosecutors allege violations of the “equality of participants in public tenders or auctions,” specifically in connection with a 2021 procurement process linked to the strategically significant Llogara Tunnel infrastructure project.

Balluku has denied all accusations, asserting that the procurement processes were conducted in accordance with the law. Prime Minister Rama has publicly backed her, describing the case as politically motivated and warning against what he characterizes as judicial overreach. His stance, however, has done little to calm public dissatisfaction.

The prosecutors’ investigation extends beyond the Llogara Tunnel. According to reported details, authorities have also examined a tender related to the Tirana Grand Ring Road project. In that case, Balluku, who was serving as infrastructure minister at the time, allegedly influenced procedures to predetermine the winning company. Prosecutors claim that the integrity of the competitive bidding process was compromised, thereby undermining principles of transparency and fair competition.

The legal battle intensified on February 6, when Albania’s Constitutional Court addressed a challenge brought by Prime Minister Rama against a lower court’s decision to suspend Balluku from exercising her public duties. In a split 4–4 vote, the court failed to reach the five-vote majority required to overturn the suspension. As a result, the suspension remains in force and is expected to take effect upon publication in the Official Gazette.

Legal experts have emphasized that the suspension does not constitute a presumption of guilt. Dorian Matlija, head of the rights group Res Publica, has described it as a precautionary measure intended to safeguard the integrity of the investigation. According to this interpretation, the court’s decision reflects concerns that a senior official could potentially influence witnesses or tamper with evidence. In many legal systems, such interim measures are employed to preserve due process rather than to signal culpability.

The political ramifications, however, extend well beyond procedural safeguards. Parliament is now considering a separate prosecutorial request to authorize Balluku’s arrest. A session of the Council of Mandates and Immunities is scheduled to deliberate on the matter, to be followed by a full parliamentary vote. The debate is likely to center on proportionality – a core principle in criminal justice. If suspension sufficiently mitigates the risk of interference, critics argue that pretrial detention would be difficult to justify under the doctrine of “ultima ratio,” which holds that arrest should be a last resort.

Complicating the situation further is a proposed amendment to Albania’s criminal procedure code. The changes under discussion would exempt top executive officials – including the prime minister and deputy prime minister – from court-ordered suspensions while in office. Supporters claim the amendment is necessary to prevent governance paralysis caused by politically motivated investigations. Opponents, however, see it as an attempt to insulate the executive branch from judicial scrutiny.

Afrim Krasniqi, head of the Albanian Institute for Political Studies, has warned that altering procedural rules mid-investigation would damage Albania’s democratic credentials. For a country that has long declared its ambition to deepen integration with the European Union, adherence to principles of judicial independence and accountability is critical. Perceptions that legal frameworks are being reshaped to protect political allies could undermine both domestic trust and international credibility.

Economist Zef Preçi, who leads the Albanian Center for Economic Research, has added another dimension to the debate by highlighting systemic concerns in the infrastructure sector. He argues that large public contracts in Albania have increasingly gone to companies widely perceived as politically connected. Infrastructure procurement – involving roads, tunnels, and major public works – represents one of the largest areas of government expenditure and, according to critics, one of the least transparent.

The street protests reflect not only anger over a single case but also broader frustration with perceived corruption and governance practices. Demonstrators have accused the government of obstructing anti-corruption efforts and undermining institutional checks and balances. Government officials, in turn, have characterized the protests as politically orchestrated attempts to destabilize the administration.

The situation has placed Albania’s institutions under intense scrutiny. The independence of SPAK, the authority of the Constitutional Court, and the integrity of parliamentary procedures are all being tested in real time. The outcome of the parliamentary vote on arrest authorization will likely shape the next phase of the crisis.

For Albania, the stakes are significant. The country’s aspirations for closer ties with the European Union depend heavily on sustained reforms in the judiciary and demonstrable progress in combating high-level corruption. Brussels has repeatedly emphasized that credible enforcement against senior officials is a benchmark for accession negotiations.

As clashes subside temporarily in Tirana’s streets, the political temperature remains high. Whether the current confrontation leads to institutional strengthening or further polarization will depend on how authorities balance legal due process with public demands for accountability.

In the coming weeks, Albania’s leadership faces a delicate calculus: uphold the appearance and substance of judicial independence, or risk deepening public mistrust at a moment when stability and reform are essential. The unfolding case against Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku has become more than a legal proceeding; it is now a litmus test for the resilience of Albania’s democratic institutions.

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Source: Weekly Blitz :: Writings