Although the opposition is boycotting the Albanian parliament and is still not registered for the parliamentary elections in June, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini and European Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn urged "all political leaders" on Wednesday 12 April to "act responsibly, with respect for institutions, and pave the way for democratic elections, in line with international standards".
In their joint press release, Mogherini and Hahn regretted that the much-needed justice reform in Albania has once again come under attack. "We call on all parties to complete the formation of the vetting institutions. Attacking the judicial reform rather than ensuring implementation of vetting, with close monitoring of the International Monitoring Operation, harms Albania's present and future", they said. The opposition did not take part in session to create ad hoc committees for vetting judges, nor did it propose members. According to opposition leader Lùlzim Basha, the vetting is a "mafia project" which would enable Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama to control the judicial system and ensure that he and his friends are not taken to court.
Mogherini and Hahn stated that they expected members of the parliament to show responsibility, capacity to act within the democratic legitimate institutional framework, and to stand by the people of Albania, "who continue to demand that the vetting is launched and the judiciary eventually reformed". This is also "a crucial step for the country to join the European Union", they stated.
Mogherini and Hahn underlined that political debate should not take place outside the parliament, but inside it, "according to democratic practise", and citizens deserve responsible leadership. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)