The Democratic Party has asked the Special Court Against Organised Crime and Corruption (SPAK) to investigate the appointment of Armela Krasniqi to the position of Chair of the Audiovisual Media Authority (AMA).
AMA is the board that oversees media in the country and will be the responsible body if the government passes the controversial “anti-defamation package.” Krasniqi is a career-Socialist Party employee and has worked at the head of the state news agency and as Director of Communications in Prime Minister Edi Rama’s office.
The vote was taken on the last day of parliament this year, despite calls from the EU, UK, and OSCE to wait until the new parliament convenes in September, which will include opposition parties.
The government proceeded with the vote and Krasniqi was appointed.
PD representative Albana Vokshi claimed “abuse of office” during the election campaign and said an investigation into the matter was necessary for “freedom of the media” in Albania.
She stressed that Krasniqi’s vote showed that Rama’s main priority is “not European integration, but instead personal power.”
“The government is well aware that without meeting democratic standards, the membership talks remain a mere formal act.”
