The Constitutional Court has postponed today’s session on the dismissal of President Ilir Meta to Monday, after Meta’s legal representatives requested more time to review the court’s 70 questions.
On Tuesday, the Court held its first hearing on the Albanian Parliament’s request to dismiss Meta. They had scheduled to meet on Thursday, February 3, to continue deliberations and hear from Meta’s representatives.
In a historical first, the Albanian Parliament dismissed President Ilir Meta last June for “serious violations” of the Constitution during the April electoral campaign. 105 MPs in the 140-seat parliament voted for Meta’s dismissal, 7 MPs voted against, and 3 abstained.
During the April electoral campaign, Meta accused the government of being involved in preparations to rig the elections, of colluding with criminal gangs to buy votes, and called on people to defend their vote.
The decision was forwarded to the Constitutional Court for its review. For the dismissal to be finalized, 5 of the 7 members of the Constitutional Court should support Meta’s dismissal, including at least 1 judge proposed by him.
