Berisha rejects cooperation with Rama on justice reform
Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha has ruled out any cooperation with Prime Minister Edi Rama on justice reform, insisting that his party will not support any measures concerning the justice system. His statement comes even though Rama has not asked for Berisha’s support and has repeatedly emphasized their opposing views on the matter. While Berisha has called for dismantling the justice reform, Rama has stated that he wants the system to function according to EU standards, ensuring due process while avoiding excesses and repression.
Why is this important: Berisha’s comments highlight his longstanding opposition to the justice reform, but they do not reflect any real political shift—Rama has made it clear that he neither seeks nor needs Berisha’s support. The prime minister recently dismissed the idea of cooperation, saying that if he had wanted Berisha’s backing, he would have “just had to whistle.”
What did Berisha say: Berisha categorically rejected any possibility of collaboration with Rama.
“This party will never join votes with Edi Rama on any measure related to the justice system,” he said.
He accused Rama of attempting to create a false comparison between the government’s concerns over the functioning of justice institutions and the Democratic Party’s opposition to SPAK. Berisha argued that his party has a clear platform and will not be part of any changes to the justice system alongside Rama.
Venice Commission path: While rejecting any cooperation with the government, Berisha insisted that reforms should only happen through legal mechanisms, particularly the Venice Commission.
“Justice reform should not turn Parliament into a courtroom. It must be done through the Venice Commission, not through political maneuvering.”
He emphasized that his party will not support any initiative that could be seen as shielding corruption, indirectly responding to Rama’s position that the justice system should respect legal norms without becoming repressive.
What else: Rama has consistently distanced himself from Berisha’s stance, arguing that the justice reform must function independently while ensuring human rights protections. The prime minister recently underscored their opposing views by stating that Berisha wants to dismantle the system entirely, while the government aims to refine it to meet European legal standards.
Berisha, on the other hand, reiterated his party’s firm opposition to the current judicial structure, emphasizing that his party will not participate in any process that involves the Socialist majority.
What next: Berisha’s latest statement confirms that political divisions over justice reform remain unresolved. As both leaders maintain rigid positions, the future of Albania’s judicial system is set to remain a central issue in the country’s political landscape, especially in the lead-up to the May 11 elections.
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