Nothing is being done about corruption

Nothing is being done about corruption
By Plator Nesturi

 The work of the parliamentary law committee on the Vetting process doesn’t seem to have been merely focusing on the staff of the respective teams which will handle the vetting of prosecutors and judges. It seems absurd, but it’s true. More than the guarantees as to how functional this whole engagement projected by the international community and for which it was so hard to join the votes of MPs, we are now seeing the part that relates to the budget reduction. And the Appeal Committee will have 75 of its personnel reduced, although a staff of 185 specialists that were requested.

The vetting process is only a part of the engagement in the fight against corruption, because it only focuses on the justice system. But what example is given through these budget cuts? Commitment to fight corruption in each sector or withdrawal with the aim of not touching the main structure that corruption in the country has built? The fact that each parliamentary session is associated with accusations of corruption coming from each side and the fact that none of these allegations are sent to the justice institution, is a clear indicator that here there is no will for things to change, let alone for corruption to be given a strong blow. The marathon of accusations has been going on for more than two weeks, since the new parliamentary legislature session has started, while the finish line is still to be seen. In an attempt to keep the interest of the public opinion high, during their daily appearance, those who accuse the other side also note that the following day, they will produce another sensational document which will be more spectacular than the previous one. But at the end of each day, like a ritual which is repeated in a monotonous way, the sides make sure of keeping the fire on and in order to show which one of our politicians is more corrupt. Meanwhile, the picture becomes even broader when we hear that politicians from both sides press charges against each other, businessmen testify for the prosecution, statements and counter statements are made, while nothing changes and things continue as used to be.

In such an absurd situation where everyone who is vested with power comes out implicated and at the same time, accuses his accusers that they are no better than him, in a normal country, this would cause the entire political class of a country to collapse. Let us recall what happened in Italy at the beginning of the ‘90s. The political elites collapsed following accusations on corruption which further lead to the promotion of an entirely new political configuration which could never be fathomed before the start of the “Mani pulite” operation. Despite this example that Italy gave by ousting prominent figures from a society seriously infected by corruption, things in Albania seem to be different. Here, politicians are simply insulting and denouncing each other and this doesn’t really have to do with their desire for transparency. There are no new political parties interested on taking these charges even further in order to remove the old class and gain ground among voters. We’re very far from these developments which could prompt civil action, because we have not even gone as far as “Tee Party” type incentives of the US Republicans, as a way to replace the old political class.

So, we are not waiting for anything to happen. We are doomed to listen to the accusations of each side against their political opponents with the clear conviction that nothing else will occur after this. The same faces who have occupied podiums and who are sometimes in a position of defense and sometimes in a position of offense, will still be there and after this, nobody will replace them, because it doesn’t seem as if someone will be able to replace them. And it doesn’t seem as if they will be punished by anyone either. In spite of open lawsuits and cases under investigation, the judicial system is very fragile in front of the power of the political class. How can we think that a minister or other senior official can be tried in a professional way when the system is failing with simple cases such as property cases, let alone people with political support? Given that the justice system is in such dire conditions, it is difficult to believe that courts will be able to handle these allegations for corruption that both sides are addressing to each-other.

The judicial system is still weak and in front of this powerful political class, it is in a position of disadvantage. Meanwhile, chances that it could lead a successful fight against corruption on its own are very slim. Under these circumstances, the political class is the only one that can cleanse itself from the ones who have abused and this could be done in the form of full consensus between both sides. If this doesn’t take happen, then this political class will remain refractory on other issues of policy making too and podiums will continue to be filled with accusations and allegations. If nothing changes, this whole thing turns into monotony. They accuse each other, we listen, and time goes by.  

Shpërndajeni me miqtë tuaj: