Roundup: Albania paves way for enforcement of key law related to judicial reform

Albania's Constitutional Court, the highest court of the country, on Thursday turned down the request made by the main opposition party, Democratic Party (DP), to nullify the "Vetting Law," a key law related to the country's judicial reform.

The judges of the highest court ruled in favor of the "Vetting Law" with voting six against two.

The ruling is believed to pave the way for the enforcement of the law, which will vet judges and prosecutors for possible corruption.

Before the court made the decision, it also sought the opinion of the Venice Commission, an advisory body of the Council of Europe in the field of constitutional law, and got a reply from the Commission this week saying there are no objections to the constitutionality and international conventions.

The "Vetting Law," drafted together with EU and U.S. experts, is considered crucial not only for the implementation of the country's judicial reforms but also for Albania's opening of accession talks with the EU.

It was approved with a majority of votes late August as part of the justice reform package, but was later suspended due to the claims raised by the opposition and union of judges saying its articles are anti-constitutional.

Democratic Party expressed concern that the law would leave the vetting process under the control of the prime minister and thus asked the court to nullify it.

The Constitutional Court decided to suspend the law on Oct. 25 following the challenges raised by DP.

But after the court upheld the law, DP reacted Thursday afternoon saying that it respected the ruling of Constitutional Court on "Vetting Law" and confirmed its determination to support the purge of the corrupt and political servants from the justice system.

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama also stressed after the court's verdict that "swift implementation of the key vetting law is the only condition set by the EU to open accession talks with Albania."

"They delayed it but did not stop it," said the prime minister while referring to the opposition's challenge to the law. However, he said now it is the time to see it in action.

But by implementing this law, an evaluation process will be initiated for the staff of the judicial system.

The evaluation will be based on assets check, background check and professionalism of the judges and prosecutors.

The law, expected to be implemented in January 2017, is aimed at increasing the trust of the citizens in the justice system.

The U.S. embassy and EU delegation in Tirana also welcomed the court's decision, noting that it is the time to start enforcing the law, which is deemed crucial to the country's EU integration and development.

Three months will be needed to set up all the institutions for the "Vetting Law." Enditem