Socialists and Democrats fail to agree on motion to debate on IPARD affair
The Socialist majority has rejected the opposition’s request to hold a debate motion next week in parliament on the the European Anti-Fraud Office report on the alleged misuse of IPARD funds intended to support Albanian farmers. The Socialists have agreed to hold this discussion in September after they have been officially informed of OLAF’s investigation findings.
Context
In its report on the case of abuses in Albania, OLAF states that it “investigated serious allegations involving the misuse of EU funds from the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance for Rural Development (IPARD II) in Albania.” One claim was that IPARD II applicants were forced to pay a significant percentage of their grant to ‘pre-selected’ consulting companies, which would then facilitate contracts with the Albanian Agency for Rural Development and Agriculture (AZHBR), which distributed the funds.
Following its investigation, OLAF recommended that the European Commission consider parts of the funding from the First and Second Calls for Applications under IPARD II, amounting to €33 million, as ineligible. The European Anti-Fraud Office has sent a copy of the findings to Albanian authorities due to “potential criminal activities” uncovered during the investigation.
Additionally, OLAF recommended that the EU prevent €112 million of future funding (IPARD III) for Albania from unnecessary expenditure until corrective measures are in place to protect the EU’s financial interests from any illegal activities.
Go deeper
Editorial note: The opposition’s protest that wasn’t
Published on December 23, 2024
Parliament Leaders’ Conference rejects opposition’s request on Inquiry into Durrës Port Project
Published on December 23, 2024
Why is this important: The opposition’s requested inquiry would have lasted six months, overlapping with the critical pre-election period. During election seasons, Parliament’s activities, including those of inquiry committees, are limited, making the establishment of such a committee practically unfeasible. The Democratic Party has a history of opposing projects proposed and implemented by their Socialist rivals for political gain. When in power, the Berisha government halted several projects initiated by the Municipality of Tirana, then led by Edi Rama, even demolishing some under construction on questionable grounds without awaiting court rulings. In opposition, the Democrats have continued this pattern, at times organizing protests—some of which turned violent—against projects that later proved to be highly popular and contributed significantly to the Socialists’ electoral successes.
SPAK reclassifies charges against former Minister Ilir Beqaj in sterilization concession case
Published on December 23, 2024
Why is this important: The decision marks a significant escalation in the case, as the charges now carry more severe penalties. Until now, Beqaj was accused solely of abuse of office, while his deputy faced charges of fraud, document forgery, and abuse of office. Businessman Ilir Rrapaj had been charged with fraud. The judge handling this case, previously gained attention when she accepted a request to lift house arrest for opposition leader Sali Berisha, whose own corruption case is set to begin soon. Berisha has credited his party for the new direction in the sterilization case, suggesting it influenced SPAK’s decision to strengthen the charges against the former Socialist minister.