The plenary session of 26 November is expected to be accompanied by heated debates between the majority and the opposition. Alongside the overall approval of the budget and the fiscal package, the agenda is also expected to include the government’s normative act providing for punitive measures against violent protesters who wear masks or who do not comply with orders from the authorities.
This act has drawn objections from the opposition, which considers it unconstitutional and calls for it not to be included in the parliamentary calendar. As of Tuesday, the normative act had been applied in 186 cases by law enforcement forces. In one case a fine of 500,000 new lek was imposed, while in the other cases the punitive measure was 5,000 new lek.
The political clashes were also reflected in the Conference of Chairpersons, where the parties failed to reach an agreement on the calendar and work program of the Assembly. The opposition accuses the majority of obstructing the exercise of parliamentary oversight. Another point of disagreement remains electoral reform. The Socialists have asked the opposition to return to the work of the special committee, warning that otherwise they will proceed with unilateral decision-making.
Democratic representatives have denied boycotting the committee, while opposing the majority’s position. The mandate of the Special Committee for Electoral Reform expires on 30 November, while the Socialist Party is not ready to accept another extension of the deadline.