TIRANA, Nov 4 /ATA/ Democratic Party parliamentary group chairman Gazment Bardhi today criticised the European Commission’s 2026 Progress Report on Albania, calling it the most damning assessment the country has received in years.
“The 2026 Progress Report lays bare Edi Rama’s poor governance. It is the bleakest report since the assessments began. Albania’s path to EU membership requires a functioning democracy, independent institutions, respect for the Constitution, accountability, and genuine guarantees for the rights of the opposition and citizens,” Bardhi said.
In his statement, Bardhi said the report highlights a number of concerns regarding the functioning of Parliament, the opposition’s constitutional rights, corruption and the independence of institutions.
According to the Democratic Party parliamentary group leader, the European Commission has raised concerns over the lack of democratic functioning in Parliament, the failure of the parliamentary majority to implement certain Constitutional Court rulings, and the issue of Belinda Balluku’s immunity, which he said points to a breach of the principle of equality before the law.
Bardhi said the report raises concerns over Parliament’s democratic functioning, the opposition’s constitutional rights, corruption, equality before the law and the failure to implement Constitutional Court rulings. He also highlighted the need for comprehensive electoral reform ahead of the 2027 local elections, uncertainty surrounding local government units following territorial reform, and the politicisation of appointments to independent institutions.
He also raised concerns over the appointment of the People’s Advocate with votes solely from the ruling majority, arguing that this broke the established tradition of cross-party consensus. Bardhi further pointed to government legislative initiatives that he said were inconsistent with the EU acquis and European standards, including amendments to the law on tourist ports, as well as the need to strengthen integrity and accountability within the State Police and the Police Oversight Agency.
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