19, December 2017

Albania: Opposition MPs throw smoke bombs in parliament 0

Opposition lawmakers in Albania have thrown smoke bombs inside parliament to disrupt a session for the appointment of an interim prosecutor general, which they said was unconstitutional.

Albanian opposition MPs on Monday threw smoke grenades into the parliament chamber to protest the election of Arta Marku with 69 votes out of 76 by the ruling Socialist Party.

The move to stop the election, however, was in vain as Marku was eventually sworn in as temporary prosecutor general.

Members of Albania’s parliament react as opposition MPs set off smoke bombs during a vote for a new, temporary general prosecutor on December 18, 2017 in Tirana. (Photo by AFP)

 

Opposition legislators claimed that parliament was not entitled to elect an interim prosecutor general and should wait for the creation of a permanent commission to do that.

They also argued that a prosecutor should be installed once some 800 judges and prosecutors are vetted and elected with three-fifths of votes in parliament.

Albania’s opposition lawmakers throw smoke bombs inside the Parliament during the election of the new prosecutor, in Albanian parliament in Tirana, on December 18, 2017. (Photo by Reuters)

 

Rightwing opposition leader Lulzim Basha censured socialist Prime Minister Edi Rama before the Monday parliament session for appointing a “puppet” to follow his commands.

Basha said Marku’s appointment “is a constitutional violation and can lead to the destabilization of the country.”

Albania’s opposition Democratic Party leader Lulzim Basha (C) speaks to his supporters during a protest against the election of the new prosecutor, in front of parliament in Tirana, Albania, on December 18, 2017. (Photo by Reuters)

 

During his speech in parliament, Basha also warned the Albanian prime minister against a constitutional “putsch” in an effort to protect corrupt officials, including his former interior minister.

“You have decided to violate the Constitution to protect your wealth. This is the last moment that I ask you in the name of the Constitution to withdraw. This is the command of the people. Obey it or face the consequences,” the opposition leader said.

Albanian opposition demonstrators clash with police in front of the parliament building in Tirana on December 18, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

 

While the 41-year-old prosecutor general was taking oath of office in front of the Albanian lawmakers, several thousand activists and supporters of opposition parties Democratic Party (DP) and Socialist Movement for Integration (SMI) were protesting outside the cordoned-off parliament building.

Albanian police clashed with opposition supporters trying to force their way into the building, with local media reporting that a number of people had been injured.

Albanian opposition protesters clash with police in front of the parliament building in Tirana on December 18, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

 

Marku is due to fill the vacant position of prosecutor general for the next two or three months until a new prosecution high council has been created.

Marku’s appointment is supported by the European Union and the US, as the move paves the way for judicial reforms needed for the country’s bid to launch EU membership negotiations.

Albania was granted EU candidate status in 2014 and hopes to launch negotiations next year.

 

Source: Presstv