TIRANA, Jan.25 – The group of experts of the Venice Commission who visited Tirana last week validated both options for electing the country’s top justice institutions as internationally acceptable, declaring that now it is up to political parties to find a compromise. The Venice Commission rapporteurs said that the unblocking mechanism has to come from politics since both formulas proposed for the election of members of highest justice institutions in the country are in conformity with international practice.
“The experts who compiled the draft propose three fifths, while some political forces propose two thirds of votes in parliament. Both proposals are in line with European standards and it is not up to the Venice Commission to tell Albania what to do on this issue,” said Thomas Markert, head of the delegation of experts. Markert highlighted that the reform is on the right track while adding that the reform should be seen as in the interest of the Albanian people and not just a matter of pleasing the European Union.
Regarding the creation of a special anti-corruption unit independent from the prosecution office the experts brought the experience of countries such as Romania, Croatia and Montenegro where the structure has been performing well. The Socialists support the experts’ draft consisting of 84 votes, whereas the opposition maintains that two thirds are needed instead, since the ruling majority already has the votes which the oppositions says will lead to the capture of the justice system by the government.
During their two-day stay in Albania, the Venice Commission rapporteurs held meetings with the group of high level experts who have prepared the draft on justice reform, with diplomatic missions accredited in Tirana, Justice Minister Ylli Manjani and experts of the opposition. The Venice Commission experts declared that the final opinion on justice reform in Albania will be ready on March 12.
