Albania's Parliament on Thursday approved a series of bills related to the agriculture sector, with the votes exposing an unusual split within the ruling Socialist Party after Socialist lawmaker Erion Braçe opposed one of the government's initiatives and abstained on another. The opposition did not participate in the votes after boycotting the parliamentary session.

The bill on trade certificates for agricultural products passed with 71 votes in favor, one abstention, and one vote against. Braçe abstained, while Erald Kapri of the Opportunity Party voted against the measure.

Lawmakers also approved the Agricultural Census bill with 77 votes in favor and one against, with Kapri casting the sole dissenting vote.

A bill introducing amendments to Albania's Law on the Management of Chemicals was approved with 78 votes in favor and one against, again with Kapri opposing the legislation.

Parliament also passed amendments to the Law on Aquaculture with 76 votes in favor and one against, with Kapri once more voting against.

The most notable split came during the vote on amendments to the Law on the Protection of Agricultural Land, which was approved with 78 votes in favor and two against. The dissenting votes were cast by Braçe and Kapri, marking the only proposal on which a member of the governing Socialist Party voted against the government-backed legislation.

The votes highlighted Braçe's departure from the ruling majority's unified position, while the opposition remained absent throughout the voting process after staging a boycott of the parliamentary sitting.