Ruling Socialists propose amnesty for illegal constructions in rural areas sparking heated debate in parliament

On Thursday, the Socialist Party proposed an amnesty for fines related to illegal constructions in rural areas, leading to a contentious parliamentary session. Opposition MPs from the Democratic Party accused the majority of political provocation, highlighting that the proposal was not officially submitted as a formal document in Parliament.

Why is this important: Illegal constructions have been a persistent issue in Albania since the fall of communism. During the post-communist transition, widespread urban and rural chaos emerged as citizens built unauthorized homes and extensions to address severe housing shortages after decades of state-controlled housing. Informal settlements, many lacking proper urban planning, became commonplace, especially near major cities.

The Democratic Party traditionally campaigned on promises of legalizing these constructions. When the Socialist Party came to power in 2013, it continued the legalization process for pre-existing constructions but introduced stricter penalties to curtail future illegal developments. These measures, including steep fines and even prison sentences, have curbed unauthorized construction in urban areas but have been less effective in rural regions. The Socialists now argue that the proposed amnesty addresses this imbalance, particularly following a Constitutional Court ruling that invalidated such fines.

The proposal: The proposed amnesty seeks to annul fines imposed between January 1, 2015, and November 30, 2024, for various violations in rural areas, including:

• Unauthorized construction or modifications of residential homes.
• Illegal structures used for agricultural or livestock-related activities.
• Fines imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic for non-compliance with health regulations.

The amnesty would apply to fines issued by local and central inspectorates, including the Territorial Defense Inspectorates, the National Food Authority, and the State Health Inspectorate. The Socialists argue that the measure aims to alleviate burdens on rural residents and regularize long-standing informal developments.

Context: The proposal follows a 2022 Constitutional Court ruling that struck down parts of the law penalizing unauthorized rural constructions. The court ruled that the fines disproportionately targeted individuals building homes out of necessity, particularly those affected by natural disasters such as the 2019 earthquake.

The opposition, however, criticized the timing of the proposal, accusing the Socialists of using it as a ploy to gain rural support ahead of the May 2025 elections. Despite the controversy, Socialist MPs confirmed their intent to pass the amnesty by the end of the current parliamentary session.

Next steps: Socialists reiterated that the amnesty is necessary to resolve ongoing legal and social issues in rural areas and declared their determination to approve it regardless of opposition objections. The final vote is expected before the parliamentary session concludes in December.