The Conference of Chairs rejected the opposition’s requests for a motion with debate and an interpellation with Prime Minister Edi Rama regarding the incinerators’ issue.
The Democratic Party had requested an urgent interpellation with Prime Minister Edi Rama regarding the incinerator issue, scheduled for Thursday, July 20.
Leader of the Democratic Party parliamentary group Gazment Bardhi said that the case of Arben Ahmetaj is shocking and requires clarification.
In a media statement, Bardhi emphasized that “the mafia of the incinerators continues to be paid from the state budget”.
“The public opinion has been shaken in these days by the facts that the Special Prosecution Office (SPAK) has revealed regarding Ahmetaj, and now the criminal responsibility is a matter of justice,” he said.
“We will need the deputy prime minister to be held accountable, and we need to offer the public an explanation of how the funds from the state budget are financing the escape of the mafia involved in the incinerators’ affair. Despite being internationally wanted, they continue to receive money from the state budget,” said Bardhi.
Bardhi stressed that by rejecting the opposition’s request for an interpellation, “the majority demonstrates its vision of transforming the parliament from a body that defends the interests of Albanian citizens into a shop that defends the interests of Klodian Zoto and Mirel Mërtiri”.
“Urgent interpellation and motion with debate are two legitimate requests. Regardless of the discomfort and concerns that Edi Rama may have about this issue, the constitution and the rules must be respected. The Parliament says there is no urgency. Klodian Zoto and Arben Ahmetaj can receive money from the state budget. Albanians’ money can finance the escape of these individuals. It is a matter that the majority considers exhausted. The interpellation request sought this. The constitution and the rules will be enforced. The circle in which the Speaker of the Parliament has put parliamentary activity is a dangerous circle,” said Bardhi.
Meanwhile Toni Gogu, Deputy Chairman of the Parliamentary Group of the Socialist Party, argued why the opposition’s requests were rejected.
Gogu emphasized that there is nothing urgent about holding an interpellation regarding the incinerators, as the issue of Arben Ahmetaj and his involvement in corrupt practices is a matter that has already been referred to the justice system.
“We gave our consent to the [Parliament] Speaker. Similar issues can be combined and addressed together. We did not give our consent for these issues to be included in the upcoming session. It will be up to the Parliament on Thursday to decide whether these issues will be included in the agenda or not. We strongly believe that there is no substance in them. Now is the moment for justice to address that issue, as we have paved the way for the investigative commission, which is now in the hands of the justice system. Any other action regarding these urgencies is either within the groups, but for the Parliament of Albania, I think the urgencies are pensions, students, and healthcare. For these reasons, we decided that they should be scheduled in the next session. We have no fear of having a debate. As a parliamentarian, I believe these are issues being investigated by the justice system,” explained Gogu at the end of the meeting.
