Another Consensus On Lawmakers’ Immunity Expected

TIRANA, May 13 – Another consensus between the governing Democratic Party of Prime Minister Sali Berisha and the main opposition Socialist Party of the Tirana Mayor Edi Rama is expected on lifting the immunity of all the parliament members opening the way to any investigation if they were involved.
The move could likely ask again for constitutional amendments that normally ask for three-fifth of the 140-seat parliament.
The move was made know by Berisha and was also welcomed by Rama but not from other smaller political forces.
One has to be reminded that started when the parliament is also considering lifting the immunity for the Republican leader Fatmir Mediu, who has reassigned from the defense minister’s post after the March 15 blast. He is accused of abuse of post by the prosecutor general.
Lawmakers’ immunity has been a continuous issue of dispute between the two leading political groupings that try to blame the other of not concluding it.
This time there has been pressure from Europe and the Untied States urging local politicians to agree on that.
Reaching such a consensus may well serve the country in its integration steps into NATO and the European Union.
Berisha told his parliamentary group Monday that he had Rama’s assurance of concluding that move.
Albanian parliamentarians cannot be prosecuted or investigated unless the assembly votes to lift their immunity.