
The Chairman of the Democratic Party Parliamentary Group, Gazment Bardhi, has accused Prime Minister Edi Rama of providing political protection to Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, who is under investigation and has been suspended from duty by decision of the Special Court.
Invited to the show "Breaking" by Fiori Dardha on Top News, Bardhi stated that his battle against Balluk has never been personal, but a confrontation with what he described as the most corrupt model of governance over the last 12 years.
He stated that the inclusion of Balluku as a defendant should have been accompanied by political responsibility from the government and that the decision of the GJKKO to suspend it should not have been awaited, as the Prime Minister should have removed him immediately.
Referring to the investigations into tender issues and the GJKKO's reasoning for the suspension of the Deputy Prime Minister from office and the question of how the minister can destroy evidence when it dates back 4 years, Bardhi said:
"There is no doubt that the documentation was received by SPAK, but the tender documentation is not evidence according to the law. SPAK has questioned many of Ms. Balluku's subordinates and they, having her as their superior, may be intimidated into telling the truth. As the court has confirmed, investigations into several other issues are ongoing.
Bardhi stated that every corrupt politician should go to prison and recalled that he has sent several other files to SPAK, while awaiting impartial investigations into all issues.
"I believe that every corrupt politician should go to prison. I have sent several cases to SPAK and if they are investigated impartially, Balluk's legal fate is determined, it is that of every person who abuses office."
The leader of the DP parliamentary group made a strong statement when he said:
"This is the first case in the world that a defendant uses the office of the minister and the council of ministers as a law firm to request the repeal of a measure against him. In any case, the defendant himself is the one who addresses the court. It is atypical that the prime minister has turned into a law firm. He wanted to send a message that, 'Balluku has a special status from all other defendants.'"
On the other hand, he explained that there is a difference between the function of an MP and that of Deputy Prime Minister and that sending the suspension to the Criminal Court is a lost cause.
"The Prime Minister has the power to appoint and dismiss a minister, but the Constitutional Court has not ruled on the dismissal, but has suspended it, she cannot exercise her functions due to the measure. There is no dismissal from office. From a constitutional point of view, the Prime Minister's request is unacceptable.
The deputy is a public function, but Balluku has not been suspended from her position as a deputy. Her executive functions have been suspended. No one is stopping the Prime Minister from appointing a second deputy prime minister. There is no impasse in the Ministry of Infrastructure, because there are two or three deputy ministers who can lead the ministry.