The Health Concessions Parliamentary Inquiry Commission, established to investigate the controversial sterilization and check-up concessions, descended into chaos on Wednesday night. Former Minister of Health Ilir Beqja, detained on unrelated charges, was summoned to testify but waited nearly 48 hours without being heard. Frustrated, Beqja walked into the Commission hall, demanding an end to what he described as being pushed around, which angered Democratic MPs.

Context: Beqja’s arrival created a dramatic scene. Once a key figure in the Socialist Party, he was escorted in handcuffs by prison guards. Over two days, he requested to deliver his statement via PowerPoint. Astonishingly, the Commission spent two entire days debating this, without resolution. Despite parliamentary regulations allowing the method, the Democratic Chairwoman refused, igniting heated arguments.

The Socialists contend that parliamentary rules do not limit how a witness may present testimony and insist Beqja should have been heard. Brought to Parliament on Tuesday morning, he was returned to his cell without testifying. On Wednesday, he waited all day and night, only to be sent back to jail as debates continued until 3:00 a.m. Thursday. When Democratic MPs unilaterally decided, for a second consecutive day, to send him back to jail without testifying, an exasperated Beqja entered the Commission hall, demanding to know why he was being pushed around.

What was said: Heated confrontations erupted both publicly and in private. Democrats alleged Beqja had threatened them, but no security forces were present to intervene. Beqja denied these accusations on social media, expressing anger at being humiliated and denied the chance to speak despite following legal summons.

Why is this important: The chaos surrounding Beqja’s attempt to testify is emblematic of a commission that has devolved into a display of insults, physical altercations, and dysfunction. Despite shared blame among members, Commission Chairwoman Albana Vokshi has stood out for her confrontational and arrogant handling of proceedings. Her aggressive and discourteous style raises questions about the Democratic Party’s true intentions. If the opposition were genuinely committed to transparency on health concessions, they would have chosen a more measured and diplomatic chairperson. Vokshi’s behavior has turned the inquiry into a spectacle, undermining the commission’s original purpose.

What’s next: The Democrats are calling for another extension to continue their investigation and plan to summon the Prime Minister. However, despite two previous extensions, they have yet to produce a final report. The Socialists accuse them of wasting time and converting the commission into a stage for political drama. With tensions high, the Socialists appear determined not to grant another extension. Speaking in Parliament, Socialist group leader Niko Peleshi remarked, “The opposition killed the commission overnight only to mourn it today in Parliament.”

If Parliament does not extend the commission’s mandate, it will be forced to conclude and present a final report. Without consensus, the session may end up with two opposing reports.