Associations representing judges and prosecutors in Albania say they will challenge in the Constitutional Court a law changing the country’s system of magistrates’ salaries, approved by parliament in the early hours of the morning.

The Union of Albanian Judges, the National Association of Judges, the Association of Prosecutors and the Forum of Women Judges issued a joint statement saying they will seek the suspension of the law’s implementation, its repeal on constitutional grounds and priority consideration of their case.

The associations said the parliamentary procedure surrounding the legislation was marked by what they described as constitutional violations, including the approval of the bill beyond the constitutional deadline, the absence of a financial analysis by the Council of Ministers and what they called ineffective consultation with relevant stakeholders.

They also objected to the law’s immediate entry into force.

The groups said the legislation affects not only the financial status of magistrates, but also judicial independence, arguing that magistrates’ remuneration is closely connected to guarantees of their independence.

They further alleged that the new law fails to comply with a decision previously issued by Albania’s Constitutional Court.

“This issue is not about financial interests,” the associations said, arguing that the dispute instead concerns compliance with Constitutional Court decisions, the independence of justice institutions and the protection of the rule of law.

The associations said they would use every legal avenue available to them under Albania’s Constitution and laws.

Their announcement comes after Prime Minister Edi Rama called on the heads of judicial institutions to enter talks aimed at finding a long-term solution to the magistrates’ salary system.

Rama has proposed a joint working meeting that could also involve Council of Europe experts and representatives of the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice, or CEPEJ.