Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced plans to amend the law to prevent government ministers from being suspended while under criminal investigation, a proposal that has triggered sharp criticism from opposition parties and raised concerns over judicial independence.

Rama stated that the proposed legal changes are intended to ensure stability within government institutions and to prevent what he described as disruptions to executive functions during ongoing investigations. According to the Prime Minister, being placed under investigation should not automatically result in suspension from office unless formal charges are filed and proven.

However, opposition leaders have strongly condemned the move, accusing Rama of attempting to shield members of his administration and potentially himself from accountability. Critics argue that the reform risks undermining Albania’s judiciary and weakening anti-corruption mechanisms at a time when the country is under close scrutiny as part of its European Union integration process.

Albania has in recent years undertaken sweeping judicial reforms aimed at strengthening transparency and combating corruption, reforms that have been central to its EU accession ambitions. Legal analysts warn that altering suspension rules for ministers could send mixed signals about the government’s commitment to the rule of law.

The proposal is expected to spark heated debate in parliament, as tensions between the ruling majority and opposition continue to shape Albania’s political landscape.