As 271 judges gathered in an extraordinary meeting at the Justice Pole to demand implementation of a Constitutional Court ruling on judicial salaries, Albania’s Justice Minister Toni Gogu faced questions in Parliament over the government’s position on the dispute.

During a meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on Legal Affairs, Democratic Party lawmaker Saimir Korreshi pressed Gogu on when and how the salary issue would be resolved.

Korreshi questioned the minister over the government’s failure to implement the salary changes sought by judges, referring to earlier statements from the parliamentary majority that the issue would be resolved on September 17.

Gogu indicated that the government was not planning to change its current position and that the matter would be addressed through parliamentary discussions.

“I believe that with the date you, honorable members of Parliament, have now set, according to the calendar you have approved, you are already implementing the decision adopted by the Constitutional Court and the tasks that the Constitutional Court had assigned to you,” Gogu said.

He added that the parliamentary legislation council, where lawmakers are represented, had treated the issue seriously.

“I am not here to comment on delays by Parliament, just as I am not here to comment on delays in the reasoning of judicial decisions, which ultimately create serious situations for the rule of law,” Gogu said.

The minister urged lawmakers to address the issue while taking into account both the state budget and the obligation to fully implement the Constitutional Court’s ruling.

“You will address it with the responsibility that the health of the state budget deserves, but also with the seriousness that the full implementation of the Constitutional Court’s decision deserves,” Gogu said.

The dispute comes as judges across Albania are pressing for the implementation of the Constitutional Court’s ruling on their salaries, putting renewed pressure on Parliament and the government to provide a solution.