Published 22:18 IST, February 24th 2020
Albania's president on Monday sued the justice minister and two top officials for violating the constitution, the latest step he has taken against the left-wing Socialist Party government he accuses of violating the constitution and of links to organized crime.
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Albania's president on Monday sued the justice minister and two top officials for violating the constitution, the latest step he has taken against the left-wing Socialist Party government he accuses of violating the constitution and of links to organized crime.
Ilir Meta accused the three of “kidnapping, openly and in a Mafia-like way" the powers given to the president by the constitution. He said he was also asking the special prosecutor to look at the case.
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Meta was referring to issue of Albania's Constitutional Court. Six of its nine seats are vacant after a vetting process found the sitting judges could not prove that all their property had been acquired legitimately or that they had met anti-corruption and professional standards throughout their careers. Filling the seats has turned into a fight among the political parties.
The political turmoil comes as the Balkan nation of nearly 3 million people has been enacting reforms in hopes of getting a green light to launch EU membership talks.
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Though the president should be a unifying factor in the country, Meta has called for a rally on March 2 against the government, a move supported by the opposition.
For months last year, the opposition held protests that often turned into violent clashes with police. It also boycotted parliament and a local vote, accusing the government of vote-rigging and of links to organized crime.
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Since taking the post three years ago Meta, former leader of the Socialist Movement for Integration Party, a small left-wing grouping now in opposition, has always been a vocal opponent of the governing Socialist Party of Prime Minister Edi Rama.
The Socialists, who dominate parliament, have launched impeachment proceedings against Meta, the first in post-communist Albania, stemming from his attempt to cancel last year’s municipal elections.
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The parliament is expected to produce a report in March that will likely ask for Meta's ouster.
22:18 IST, February 24th 2020