The election of one of the new members of the High Judicial Council began with a result that laid bare the internal balance within the system: 179 votes for Sandër Simoni and 179 for Arbena Ahmeti. With the votes tied, the winner did not emerge from the ballot box, but from a draw.
Complete tie and decision by lot
The vote count for the High Court candidates produced a complete tie between the two names in the race: 179 votes for Sandër Simoni and 179 votes for Arbena Ahmeti.
The rules provide that in such cases the winner is determined by draw. After the drawing of lots with balls, the first winner of this race was declared to be judge Sandër Simoni, who thus secures the High Court seat on the High Judicial Council.
Counting continues for the Appeal and First Instance levels
After the close of this round, the process moved on to the counting of votes for the other two levels from which two more new members of the High Judicial Council will emerge.
For the Appeal level, the candidates were Igerta Hysi of the Special Appeal Court and Fatri Islamaj of the Tirana Appeal Court. Meanwhile, for the Court of First Instance, those in the race were Manjola Xhaxho, Brunilda Kadi and Matilda Llangozi.
Meeting of 353 judges and clash over salaries
During the general meeting of 353 judges, where the election of three new members of the High Judicial Council is taking place, attention did not remain only on the vote. At the same table, the debate over salaries and the relationship with the executive also returned.
The President of the High Court, Sokol Sadushi, responded positively to the prime minister’s invitation for dialogue on salaries, but stressed that constitutional adjudication on this issue cannot be replaced by a consultation table.
More forceful was the position of appeal judge Fatmir Ismalaj, who described the blocking of salaries and the urgent approval of the changes as a blow to judicial independence and the constitutional order. Sandër Simoni also stated that the dispute over salaries remains open and that magistrates are determined to defend a salary at the constitutional threshold.
Candidates raised concerns over the High Judicial Council and court conditions
Beyond the debate over salaries, the candidates in the race pointed to problems affecting the system’s day-to-day functioning. According to the positions expressed at the meeting, infrastructure, the efficiency of the High Judicial Council and the uneven workload among judges remain matters of concern.
Igerta Hysi called for the High Judicial Council to serve as a strong shield for judicial independence. Arbena Ahmeti stressed the need for dignified, safe courts that are welcoming for parties and the public.
Brunilda Kadi spoke about the use of technology and artificial intelligence as assistance for judges and court administration, but not as a replacement for human judgment. Manjola Xhaxho raised the problem of major differences in caseloads, while Matilda Llangozi emphasized that a strong judiciary must be both independent and highly accountable to the law and to citizens.
The first result of this race produced a winner only through a draw, a development that makes the contest for representation on the High Judicial Council even more significant.
In the background, the clash over salaries, working conditions and the real role of the High Judicial Council showed that the vote is not taking place in a normal climate, but amid open dissatisfaction within the judicial system itself.