The Chairman of the Democratic Party’s parliamentary group, Gazment Bardhi, has reacted after the publication of the European Commission’s progress report on Albania, describing it as one of the most critical assessments of the country in recent years. Bardhi accuses the government led by Edi Rama of misgovernance, arguing that the problems identified by Brussels reflect the difficult political and institutional situation in the country. According to Bardhi, the report highlights concerns that are directly linked to the reasons why students, young people and many citizens have taken to the streets in protest in recent months. The head of the Democratic Party’s parliamentary group stresses that responsibility for these problems rests with Prime Minister Rama, who, in his view, cannot be both the cause of the crisis and its solution.
Full reaction
The European Commission’s 2026 Report on Albania, in summary:
1. Highlights the democratic dysfunction of Parliament and the violation of the constitutional rights of the opposition.
2. Highlights that corruption continues to be a real challenge for Albania.
3. Highlights the breach of the principle of equality before the law in the case of Belinda Balluku’s immunity.
4. Highlights the failure by the parliamentary majority to implement several decisions of the Constitutional Court.
5. Highlights the need for a comprehensive electoral reform, which is urgently needed, especially ahead of the 2027 local elections.
6. Highlights that the ongoing territorial and administrative reform, accompanied by a trend towards re-centralisation, has created uncertainty for local self-government units.
7. Highlights the capture of the state by the party in power, through the politicisation of all appointments to independent constitutional and legal institutions.
8. Highlights that the People’s Advocate was elected only with the votes of the governing majority, breaking the consolidated tradition of cross-party consensus.
9. Highlights that the Government has undertaken legislative initiatives that are not in line with the EU acquis and European standards, including the adoption of an amendment to the law on tourist ports.
10. Highlights the need to strengthen the integrity and accountability of the State Police and the Police Oversight Agency.
All of these are reasons why students, young people and Albanian citizens have been protesting for days and months now. These problems cannot be resolved by Edi Rama, who is their cause. That is why the voice of young people must be heard. Albania needs Edi Rama to leave, needs a caretaker government that prepares the country for free and fair elections, and needs to meet the conditions for EU membership.