After the tense session in Parliament, Socialist Party parliamentary group leader Taulant Balla came out with a package of political statements mixing elections, protests, the police and accusations against the opposition. At the center were strong claims of payments to minors for acts of violence, while regarding footage published from the protest he called for everything to be verified by the relevant structures.
Strong accusations over the protest, but no public evidence presented
Balla claimed that 17-year-olds may have been involved in the protest, allegedly paid by Democratic Party MPs to carry out violence against institutions. He also mentioned an amount of 100,000 lek per person, but these are accusations that remain to be investigated and verified by the competent authorities.
Along the same lines, he described the involvement of minors in such acts as unacceptable and called on journalists to turn to the Tirana Prosecutor’s Office to verify the claims. His statements came at a time when the public debate has shifted to political responsibility for the escalation of violence.
Defense of the Police as footage raises questions
Asked about footage in which, according to media reports, police appear to be using force and rubber bullets at close range, Balla sided with the official version on the need to protect institutions and guarantee security.
He said any claim of exceeding powers should be reviewed by the Police Oversight Agency and justice institutions. His position comes in a climate in which the police response is being placed under scrutiny, especially after the publication of footage and reports of young people injured during the clash.
Criticism of a prosecutor and support for SPAK
Balla criticized a Tirana prosecutor over a case which, according to him, is linked to the burning of institutions, calling for the attention of the High Inspector of Justice. At the same time, he expressed appreciation for SPAK, describing it as an institution that deserves support for the way it carries out its duty.
This dual approach toward parts of the justice system also showed the political effort to distinguish between institutions considered trustworthy and those put in the crosshairs when decision-making does not suit the majority.
Elections, the opposition and comparisons with 2019
In his statement, Balla said the next local elections are expected to be held between April 15 and May 15, challenging parties and political movements, including the student movement, to enter the race and measure their real support.
He stressed that elections are determined by the Constitution and can be held even without the participation of all political forces, referring to the precedent of June 30, 2019. For the parliamentary elections, he mentioned the period between April 15 and May 15, 2029 as the horizon.
Government measures and irony about Flamur Noka
Regarding the measures announced by Prime Minister Edi Rama to restrict movement, at a time when questions have been raised about compliance with European standards, Balla said the government should act without delay and rely on the models of Italy and France. According to him, the measures in Albania will be more restrained than those in those countries.
Asked also about his injured finger after the clash with MP Flamur Noka, Balla replied ironically, saying that was all his political opponent could do. He also added that he had asked police structures to pay special attention to the safety of journalists while reporting from the protests.
Balla’s statements once again put political accusations, the defense of the police and the announcement of new government measures on the same plane. But the most serious points of this public appearance remain the claims of payments to minors and the way reports of the use of force during the protest will be handled.