Open letter from a concerned German journalist on the situation of parliamentarism in Albania

Tirana / Berlin, September 2025

Dear Sir or Madam,

As a German journalist who has been the political developments in Albania for years

Carefully, I see myself in deep concern about the current events in the Albanian Parliament. Today's events raise serious questions

The future of democracy, the parliamentary culture and the constitutional Order in Albania.

1. The events in Parliament

On the 18th September 2025, the parliamentary majority under the leadership of Prime Minister Edi Rama the new government program as well as the composition Of the Council of Ministers decided in just a few minutes.

- There was no real debate,

- the opposition deputies had no opportunity to ask questions,

- the opposition could not give a speech while the diplomatic corps was present

Particularly striking was the symbolic introduction of a speech, which was allegedly made by

An artificial intelligence was created. This staging may be outwardly modern

Appear, but it replaces the essential parliamentary debate that the heart

Every democracy is.

2. Constitutional context

Article 97 of the Albanian Constitution obliges the Prime Minister to The government program and the composition of the new government.

Rule 110 of the Rules of Procedure of the Parliament guarantees the Members:

- the right to ask the Prime Minister questions,

- the opportunity for debate on the programme and the

Composition of the Council of Ministers,

- an orderly vote after this debate.

Today's meeting has de facto suspended these basic principles: The debate

Was prevented, the opposition was deliberately excluded, the vote in a Extremely short time windows.

3. Political calculation

The processes suggest that the Prime Minister deliberately provoked in order To prevent the speech of the opposition leader.

- The leader of the opposition would have a critical, longer Be able to make a speech.

- Through the quick vote and the AI speech, this opportunity was Systematically prevented.

- The signal to the outside world: "New government elected, opposition without influence."

This shows a clear political calculation: to monopolize the stage and the opposition To marginalize.

4. Symbolism and danger of AI use

The use of an AI speech is purely symbolic: an artificial intelligence cannot

Take responsibility, do not make decisions and do not have ministerial duties

Perceive. It does not replace a human debate, and its commitment to International observers seem like a diversionary maneuver.

5. Conclusion

Today's developments endanger the democratic culture in Albania:

- The parliament is degraded to an abnick organ.

- The opposition is systematically silenced.

- International observers get a distorted picture of parliamentary practice.

Although this does not formally constitute a clear violation of the constitution, it violates the Spirit of the constitution and undermines parliamentary democracy.

6. Appeal

I appeal to the Albanian public, the civil society Organizations, the media and the international partners:

- The rights of the opposition and the right to debate must be respected.

- Parliamentary democracy lives on speech and counter-sade, not on Productions.

- A parliament that is silent is not a parliament – and a democracy without debate Is not a democracy.