Reported from the source

Quick summary: Albania’s parliament voted against lifting the immunity of former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, who faces corruption charges, prompting warnings from Brussels regarding the country’s EU membership aspirations.

On Thursday, Albania’s parliament rejected a request to lift the immunity of former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, preventing her arrest. Balluku is targeted by Albania’s special prosecutor, SPAK, over allegations of interfering with infrastructure projects valued at more than €200 million. Prime Minister Edi Rama and his ruling Socialist Party shielded Balluku, who denies any wrongdoing. Her dismissal from both deputy prime minister and minister for infrastructure and energy roles by Rama occurred in late February. Brussels has issued warnings about the implications of this decision for Albania’s bid to join the European Union.

Source: www.politico.eu