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| Belinda Balluku leaving the SPAK office, October 31, 2025 |
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| Belinda Balluku avoiding journalists after leaving the SPAK office, October 31, 2025 |
What happened?
After approximately 50 minutes inside the SPAK assembly, Balluku stated:
“In respect of the justice bodies, I have accepted the request of the Special Prosecution for a case under investigation… As a citizen of Albania and as a public official I see this as a process, a process which I hope will be based on transparency and the principles of justice to which I believe.”
Shortly thereafter SPAK issued a formal announcement confirming that Balluku is accused of breaching public procurement rules by favouring certain companies in a tender process.
The specifics of the case
The investigation centers on the mega-infrastructure project: the construction of the Tunnel of Llogara, part of the Orikum-Himara section of the Vlora-Saranda road. The original tender was published on 11 December 2020, later cancelled and re-opened on 22 June 2021 with a limit fund of approximately €190 million (without VAT).
SPAK’s announcement states that in her capacity as Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Balluku performed actions that may have improperly influenced the procurement procedure.
Balluku was formally notified of the charge on 21 October 2025, and summoned to appear before SPAK on 31 October at 15:00. She requested a postponement; SPAK accepted and set the hearing this Friday.
Why this matters
This is a significant development in Albania’s anti-corruption efforts: for the first time, according to analysts, a top government official—the number two in the government—has been formally charged by SPAK.
Public scrutiny around the tunnel tender has persisted for years. Opponents allege that criteria were set to exclude foreign or properly competitive bidders, thereby favouring select domestic or allied firms. For instance, the Partia Demokratike (PD) claimed that the tender’s value was inflated by about €30 million in favour of a Turkish company that did little work.
Political backdrop & reaction
Prime Minister Edi Rama responded to the investigation by stating that justice must run its course independently of the government:
“We have our job, justice has its own job…”
Opposition figures, such as PD MP Gazment Bardhi, condemned Balluku, calling her “the most corrupt official in 35 years” and pointing to multiple allegations of favouritism and abuse of procurement processes.
Implications for infrastructure & public procurement
The Llogara Tunnel is among Albania’s largest infrastructure projects. The scrutiny over its procurement process raises concerns over transparency and competition in major public works. If proven, the case may lead to:
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revisiting how major tenders are structured in Albania (especially in infrastructure and energy)
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potential resignations or political fallout for the governing party
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boosting SPAK’s credibility as it tackles high-level cases
What happens next?
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The formal charge is “Violation of equality of participants in public tenders or auctions”, under Article 258 of the Albanian Penal Code. Balluku must appear at SPAK on 31 October to be informed of the charges and will have opportunity to give explanations.
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Further investigations reportedly include other projects such as the Vlora Airport and the Thumanë‑Kasharë Highway.
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Political pressure is mounting for greater accountability in how public funds for infrastructure are managed.
Why this matters to you
For readers following governance, transparency and public-sector accountability in the Western Balkans, this event marks a potential watershed moment in Albania’s effort to hold senior officials responsible. It may shape the environment for foreign investors (who monitor rule-of-law indicators) and inform how future tenders are structured in both the infrastructure and energy sectors.