Albania's Deputy Prime Minister Removed from Office
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has dismissed Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku following a corruption investigation. The Special Prosecution Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) formally charged her in December of last year. The allegations center on her alleged interference in the awarding of two public construction contracts in 2021, which together are valued at over 200 million euros. This case is part of a broader, EU-backed effort to strengthen the rule of law in Albania.
Albania's parliament is scheduled to vote on lifting Balluku's parliamentary immunity on March 5. Prime Minister Rama had previously rejected Balluku's offers to resign on several occasions. The government reshuffle also affected seven other ministerial positions. SPAK has formally petitioned parliament to strip the deputy prime minister of her immunity.
Social Unrest and Anti-Corruption Probes
In November 2025, Balluku denied the charges in parliament, calling them a mixture of 'smears, insinuations, half-truths, and lies.' Demonstrations in Tirana have led to clashes with police, highlighting rising public tension over the case. Rama's ruling party holds a parliamentary majority, which will be a decisive factor in the upcoming immunity vote and the investigation's trajectory.
Balluku's dismissal underscores the increasing scrutiny of high-level corruption cases in Albania, driven by both judicial bodies and public pressure. The parliament's impending decision on her immunity could significantly alter the country's political landscape. A confirmation of the charges has the potential to trigger further protests and contribute to political instability.