Concerned only about Balluku – Rama continues pressure on the constitutional court: Do not approve judges’ pay raises If…

The head of the parliamentary majority continued today his pressure on the Constitutional Court. In a staged address, complete with a new pair of glasses, he openly expressed what he described as “violence” toward any potential decision by the Constitutional Court regarding the judges’ request, who are insisting on a salary increase.

He labels their demand as an imposition. Meanwhile, he does not consider his own statements, or those of members of the majority who defend Balluku and her thefts, as impositions, instead calling them normal and lawful reactions.

Today’s statements on judges’ salaries appear to follow the same line as the pressure he now exerts daily on the Constitutional Court. Make no mistake: this is not about salaries or funds diverted from pensioners, whom he has deceived for 13 years. It is about Balluku, and about his own personal concern following SPAK investigations and very serious accusations against his deputy.

Rama: A few days ago, the Constitutional Court published the recording of the hearing in which judges and two associations asked the Court to raise their salaries. Listening to that recording, one genuinely feels great discomfort, realizing that these are the people who judge and administer justice, while the reasoning of those who appeared before the Court leaves much to be desired. This is not about individuals, and I have no intention or desire to engage in polemics with anyone. But listen to how one of them speaks: “I am a career judge and an active citizen,” he tells the Court, attempting to do this quietly by exploiting the election campaign. He even mocks the level of democracy, when the truth is that judges’ salaries in Albania today are the same as those of judges in Greece, but twice as high as their counterparts in North Macedonia and Montenegro. Judges want to impose themselves on Parliament and the government to raise their salaries. Another says: “We bring money into the state budget, therefore our salaries should be increased.” I sincerely hope the Constitutional Court does not leave Albania with this great stain of shame and does not force us to take additional medication.

This constitutes intimidation and mockery of members of the judiciary. They have the right to seek salary increases. The Constitutional Court must not be influenced or publicly threatened to issue a decision in line with what Rama or anyone else wants. This is the first rule of democracy; other rules follow. Rama claims to worry about pensioners, whom he deceives with a few thousand lek for the New Year.

Even if the Constitutional Court were to approve judges’ salary increases, those expenses would certainly not come close to the amount of money allegedly stolen by Rama and Balluku through the Llogara Tunnel alone. But Rama’s messages have a different target, because he has little concern for public funds. He is not worried about that at all. He becomes deeply concerned when he is caught in theft. That is the symbolism behind the pressure on the Constitutional Court, not to “approve” judges’ pay raises, but to avoid addressing Balluku. It is that simple.