The US Embassy in Albania has welcomed the removal of former Deputy Armando Prenga from Parliament. In a press release, the US Embassy declares:
Those with criminal records have no place in the parliament, courts, government, or municipalities of a NATO member country that aspires to join the EU. We encourage the Albanian people and Albanian institutions to be vigilant in preventing criminals from becoming candidates in the June 18 elections. Albanians deserve to have a clean political and judicial system, free from the influence of organized crime and corruption.
Prenga gave up his mandate two days ago. In a letter to Speaker of Parliament Ilir Meta he claimed that he will leave Parliament for the “his own and his family’s tranquility.” Prenga took his decision after the KQZ had postponed its decision on his dossier, while the General Prosecution demanded immediate action.
The KQZ is still debating who is supposed to replace Prenga. It is expected that his seat will pass to Erisa Zaimi (LSI).
However, yesterday, the final candidate on the list of the PS in Lezha, Kastriot Piroli, claimed the seat for himself. Piroli stated that he is currently “under probation” and has only “two months left.”
I have a claim on the mandate because I have been part of this list and have been on campaign. I have done only two months in prison and after that I have been under probation.
According to the decriminalization law, Piroli would be excluded from taking up Prenga’s seat.
