Albania ā The country is experiencing intensifying social unrest following the revelation of serious corruption allegations against Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku. Investigations by the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutorās Office (SPAK), along with journalistic reports, indicate that Balluku may have favored private companies in the awarding of large-scale public contracts ā including the Llogara tunnel and sections of the Tirana ring road ā thereby violating the principle of equal treatment in public tenders. The controversy deepened when, on December 12, 2025, the Constitutional Court temporarily lifted a previous measure and allowed her to return to office while the investigation continues, a decision that ignited widespread public indignation.
In Tirana and other cities, thousands of people have taken to the streets demanding transparency, resignations, and an independent judicial process. The protests, initially peaceful, gained momentum following new revelations about alleged irregularities in public works tenders and after parliamentary clashes that exposed the depth of the political crisis. International media outlets and news agencies reported confrontations and tensions within the Albanian Parliament in December, amid opposition demands to access and address the formal accusations against Balluku.
The government responded with police deployments around the Parliament and temporary movement restrictions in strategic areas, while opposition figures denounced pressure on the judicial system and warned of the risk of further escalation if judicial independence is not guaranteed. Legal observers and civic organizations have cautioned that allowing Balluku to resume her duties in the midst of an active investigation sends a signal of tolerance toward corruption, deepening public distrust
In parallel, international attention is increasing: media outlets and analysts emphasize that the case fits within a broader context of anti-corruption efforts in Albania, where the role of SPAK and the decisions of the Constitutional Court are being closely watched. For wide sectors of the public, these mobilizations represent a turning point after years of demands for public integrity and sustained institutional reforms.
