Salianji hands himself in, opposition freezes relations with Parliament and plans protests

Democratic MP Ervin Salianji handed himself in to the police after being sentenced to one year in prison for false reporting. In response, the Democratic Party (PD) announced the suspension of all institutional relations with the ruling majority and called for a series of protests.

Why this is relevant: The opposition’s decision to freeze relations and protest over a court ruling will escalate political tensions and disrupt Albania’s political process. The move reflects the opposition’s historical pattern of resorting to confrontation and street protests rather than institutional engagement—a strategy that has repeatedly backfired, leading to electoral losses and diminishing public support.

What happened: Salianji’s sentencing stems from the controversial Babale case, in which he was found guilty of false reporting. The case involved a fabricated audio recording used to implicate Agron Xhafaj, the brother of then-Minister of Interior Fatmir Xhafaj, in drug trafficking. The allegations were perceived as an attack on the justice reform, as Fatmir Xhafaj had previously chaired the Commission for the Justice Reform, which aimed to establish an independent judiciary.

The opposition initially considered blocking the arrest of Salianji, with suggestions for the entire Democratic Party Parliamentary Group to confine themselves inside their party headquarters. However, Salianji ultimately chose to comply with the court’s decision, handing himself in and avoiding further legal complications that could have arisen from defying the ruling.

Gazment Bardhi, head of the PD Parliamentary Group, announced that the opposition would suspend all relations with the ruling majority led by Prime Minister Edi Rama. Bardhi described the court’s decision as politically motivated, stating, “From this moment, there will be no normal institutional relations with the majority commanded by Edi Rama.” He also outlined plans for protests, starting with a major demonstration on October 6.

The Babale Case: The case that led to Salianji’s conviction, involved a staged audio recording that falsely implicated Agron Xhafaj in drug trafficking. Salianji played a key role in publicizing the recording, aiming to discredit the Xhafaj brothers and challenge the government’s justice reform efforts. The plot collapsed when Fredi Alizoti, a participant in the recording, confessed that the audio was fabricated.

Alizoti revealed that Salianji had promised him €100,000 to impersonate Agron Xhafaj’s voice, but when the payment was not delivered, Alizoti decided to expose the truth. He admitted his involvement in recorded conversations with a senior police officer connected to former Prime Minister Sali Berisha and the Director of Police of Fier. Alizoti’s confession led to Salianji’s prosecution and conviction for false reporting, as the court found that Salianji had knowingly committed false reporting to manipulate public opinion.

Reactions: Reactions have been divided. Most Democratic Party members rallied behind Salianji, framing his conviction as political persecution. However, some voices within the opposition criticized this stance. Dashamir Shehi, leader of the Party for Justice, Integration, and Unity (LZHK), argued that the opposition should focus on broader national issues rather than centering on Salianji’s case. “We must stand for larger causes, not just for one MP,” Shehi said, warning that the current approach risks further damaging the opposition’s credibility.

Former Democratic MP Fatos Hoxha was even harsher, describing Salianji’s conviction as a necessary accountability measure. “Yesterday, justice served one of the best services to the people and politics of Albania. It brought down one of the ugliest models of the ‘new politician’ in Albania’s transition,” Hoxha wrote, reflecting a sentiment shared by some critics of Salianji’s actions.

Broader Context: The Salianji case highlights ongoing tensions between Albania’s major political parties regarding the justice system. The Socialist Party has consistently supported justice reforms, even when those reforms have led to the prosecution of high-ranking Socialist officials. In contrast, the Democrats initially resisted the reforms, and since then, have exhibited a double standard: supporting the judiciary when Socialist figures are targeted, but denouncing it as politically controlled when their own members face prosecution.

The selective approach was evident when Salianji appeared in court accompanied by Democratic MPs and supporters in a show of defiance. Former Prime Minister Sali Berisha, who is also awaiting trial for corruption, has frequently attacked prosecutors, judges, and the Special Structure Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK), accusing them of being controlled by the government. Many view the opposition’s reaction to Salianji’s sentencing as an attempt to intimidate the judiciary ahead of Berisha’s own trial.

Over the past decade, the Democrats have often chosen protests, disruption, and confrontational tactics over institutional engagement. This strategy has contributed to their continuous electoral defeats since 2013, diminishing public trust and support. Despite these setbacks, the opposition is once again resorting to protests as it heads toward the 2025 general elections, where they are expected to face another loss, potentially allowing the Socialists to secure a historic fourth term.

Implications: The Democrats’ decision to freeze parliamentary relations and protest over Salianji’s sentencing could further weaken their position. Analysts argue that this approach, characterized by disruption and outrage rather than constructive engagement, risks alienating voters and diminishing the party’s relevance. The strategy has not only led to electoral losses but has also reinforced perceptions of the opposition as an unstable and unreliable political force.

Some critics suggest that the planned protests are designed to destabilize Albania’s political landscape ahead of significant international events, such as the upcoming intergovernmental conference with the EU, or to damage the country’s image globally. Others see the protests as an effort to pressure the judiciary before high-profile trials involving key opposition figures.

Salianji’s Decision to Hand Himself In: Despite the opposition’s heated rhetoric, Salianji ultimately complied with the court’s ruling and handed himself in, avoiding more severe legal consequences for defying a court order. His decision to respect the judicial process, despite his party’s confrontational stance, suggests a recognition of the serious repercussions that could arise from refusing to comply with the law.