Parliament has approved the agreement for a $302 million loan for Albania in the defense sector, in a session that passed only with the votes of the majority. The procedure raises political and public questions, as the discussion of the draft law was initially held without the presence of the media, while the opposition did not take part in the chamber at all.
74 Socialist votes to pass the agreement
The draft law was approved with 74 votes from Socialist MPs. No deputy from the Democratic Party or its allies was present in the chamber, allowing the agreement to pass solely on the votes of the majority.
In the absence of the opposition, the majority on its own pushed through a decision with significant financial and strategic weight, linked to a substantial loan for the field of defense.
Discussion without media before the vote
One of the elements that stands out in this process is the fact that the discussion on the draft law was initially held without the presence of the media.
This circumstance adds to the questions over the transparency of handling an agreement involving $302 million and directly affecting public finances and security policies.
Opposition absent from the session
According to developments in the chamber, the opposition did not take part in the session in which the agreement was voted on. Its absence left outside parliamentary debate an issue that under normal circumstances would require open political and institutional confrontation.
The fact that the vote was carried out without the presence of Democratic Party MPs and their allies makes the process even more one-sided politically, despite the formal approval of the draft law.
Session closed after the vote
After the vote was completed, Speaker Niko Peleshi announced the closure of the session.
With this decision, the agreement on the loan in the field of defense officially passed in Parliament with only the votes of the Socialists.
The approval of this loan comes amid a process in which transparency, opposition participation and space for public scrutiny remain the most disputed elements.
Formally, the agreement was voted through, but the way the session was handled leaves behind more than one question about the standard of institutional accountability.