Albania’s Parliament Ethics Secretariat has suspended six Democratic Party (PD) lawmakers from plenary sessions for 60 days, while dismissing the Socialist Party’s request for suspension against 14 other opposition MPs.
The decision was made at a meeting on October 23, following a request submitted by Socialist Party (PS) lawmakers.
The six MPs facing 60-day suspensions are Flamur Noka, Belind Këlliçi, Edi Paloka, Fidel Kreka, Luçiano Boçi and Besart Xhaferri.
Meanwhile, the Ethics Secretariat decided not to suspend 14 other Democratic Party lawmakers: Gjin Gjoni, Bardh Spahia, Albana Vokshi, Elda Hoti, Xhelal Mziu, Gent Strazimiri, Enno Bozdo, Kastriot Piroli, Kliti Hoti, Flamur Hoxha, Arjan Ndoja, Ivi Kaso, Zija Ismaili and Blendi Himçi. Instead, they received a warning, according to Top Channel.
The Socialist Party’s request followed disruptions in Parliament the previous day, when Democratic Party MPs reportedly blocked the parliamentary podium, exchanged insults and threw objects toward lawmakers from the governing majority.
The suspensions mark the latest escalation of tensions between Albania’s governing Socialists and the opposition Democrats.
