Belinda Balluku returns to duty today as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, after 21 days of not exercising her function, due to the decision of the Special Court for Corruption and Organized Crime.
At the meeting on December 12, 2025, the Constitutional Court decided to suspend the effects of previous decisions and retry the case in a public hearing.
With this new decision, the restraining order will not be implemented until the Constitutional Court completes its full review of the case regarding the charges against the Deputy Prime Minister.
The Constitutional Court argued that the suspension decisions should be temporarily halted, as the issue is related to the competences of the institutions and the balance between powers, requiring a more in-depth analysis.
“By majority vote, the suspension of the implementation of judicial decisions no. 118, dated 19.11.2025 and no. 120, dated 22.11.2025 of the Special Court of First Instance for Corruption and Organized Crime, for the part that ordered the imposition and continuation of the prohibitory measure “Suspension of the exercise of a public duty or service” against citizen Belinda Balluku” – was one of the decisions taken at the meeting of judges.
According to the official announcement, the Constitutional Court decided by majority vote to move the case for consideration in a public plenary session to be held on January 22, 2026.
Also, the judges, acting as interested parties, summoned the Special Prosecutor’s Office against Corruption and Organized Crime, the Special Court of First Instance for Corruption and Organized Crime, the Parliament of Albania, and the President of the Republic.
This means that, for the time being, Belinda Balluku returns to office, pending a final decision by the Constitutional Court, which will decide whether the measures taken against her were an overlap of powers, disrupting the balance between them.
Political reactions
The Constitutional Court’s decision to reinstate Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku sparked political reactions that interpreted the decision as a protection of the interests of Prime Minister Edi Rama.
The leader of the “Mundësia” Party, Agron Shehaj, described the decision as an attempt to save Rama, emphasizing that Balluku is not saved from justice, but the decision only gives the prime minister time. Shehaj underlined that Rama’s fate is decided in the West and that no decision of the Constitutional Court can save him, describing the judges as supporters of the “corrupt” government.
On the other hand, the leader of Albania Becomes, Adriatik Lapaj, suggested that the decision is related to the fears and worries of the judges, while Tedi Blushi, chairman of the parliamentary group of the Freedom Party, considered this as proof of the complete capture of the Constitutional Court by Rama’s government. Blushi assessed the decision as a great loss for the Albanian people, emphasizing that the Court, which was supposed to be a barrier to abuses of power, has been transformed into a political instrument to guarantee the impunity and immunity of Rama and his supporters.
The reactions highlight the opposition’s concern about the influence of politics on the justice system and the consequences this could have for the country.
Since October 31, 2025 , Deputy Prime Minister Balluku has been accused of violating equality in tenders during the construction process of the Llogara tunnel. The project is considered one of the most expensive in the country’s infrastructure in the last five years.
For more than a month, the government’s number two has been the headline in the media and public debates, not only for the accusations that weigh on her, but also because of the numerous reactions that Prime Minister Rama has made in her defense.
Prime Minister Edi Rama has publicly spoken out several times in defense of Balluk, considering the decision unconstitutional and accusing SPAK of exceeding its powers.
Various political analysts have given their opinions regarding the strong reactions of Prime Minister Rama, for whom the suspension of the Deputy Prime Minister was “unconstitutional”.
“The Prime Minister’s decision to protect the Deputy Prime Minister by presenting this as a constitutional conflict and periodically making public statements is abusive,” said expert Afrim Krasniqi.
But from the Constitutional Court’s decision, it appears that for 41 days, until the next session on January 22, 2026, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy and Infrastructure will sign off on “pending matters.”
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