Special prosecution drops case against former Deputy Prime Minister
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Specialist prosecutors have informed former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku that they are closing an investigation into her conduct. The decision coincided with the appearance of Pandeli Carapuli, a businessman, at the anti-corruption offices to answer questions about the alleged gift of a villa to the former minister. While one investigation is closed, its shadow remains; the former minister faces 15 charges, including the handling of tenders worth 1.2 billion euros.
The government is meeting today to approve a 2027 budget and fiscal package that attempts to balance the books with the public mood. The plan includes a reduction in VAT on food and changes to payroll taxes, even as businesses warn that tax hikes elsewhere could provoke an exodus from the region. The state’s finances and its citizens' patience are rarely in sync.
Police have come under scrutiny for their handling of recent street protests, with parents and activists alleging that officers checked demonstrators' mobile phones without warrants. In the courts, the murder of Arlinda Zekaj has drawn criticism from Albin Kurti, who described the current path of the justice system as a national emergency.