The European Union has been negotiating Albania’s entry since 2022. The talks have made progress, but major issues remain. Austria’s right-wing Freedom Party (FPÖ) is raising red flags, especially about Albania’s justice system. FPÖ lawmaker Markus Tschank has formally asked Austria’s Justice and Constitutional Ministry for answers. His concerns? Corruption, political interference, and weak rule of law in the Balkan nation.
Albania’s Judiciary Under Scrutiny
The EU has provided millions in financial aid to help Albania reform its justice system. Austria alone contributed 14.7 million euros through the EURALIUS project, aimed at improving legal institutions. Despite this, the promised changes have yet to materialize.
One case raising eyebrows is that of Irena Gjoka. Despite having conflicts of interest, she was appointed as an anti-corruption judge. Critics argue that this appointment undermines trust in the system and shows that reforms are not being taken seriously.
FPÖ’s Tschank insists that any country joining the EU must meet certain democratic and legal standards. “A nation that wants EU membership must respect justice, governance, and democracy. From Austria’s point of view, meeting these standards is a must,” he stated.
Concerns Over Press Freedom and Political Pressure
Adding to the concerns, Albania is planning to ban TikTok. The government argues that the move is necessary to combat misinformation, but critics say it is a censorship tool to silence opposition voices. Journalists and citizens are reportedly facing growing pressure, while corruption cases remain largely ignored.
Media freedom is a major concern for the EU when evaluating potential new members. Albania’s press situation has been under scrutiny before. The country ranked 96th in the 2023 World Press Freedom Index, showing that journalists often face harassment and legal threats.
A Political Battle Over Justice
FPÖ’s Tschank is now calling on Austria’s new ministers—Anna Sporrer (SPÖ) and Claudia Plakolm (ÖVP)—to explain why Albania’s justice problems remain unresolved. He is demanding clarity on how a country with such deep-rooted legal issues can move forward in the EU accession process.
Austria is not the only country raising concerns. Several EU member states have expressed doubts about Albania’s readiness. France and the Netherlands have also questioned Albania’s ability to tackle corruption and enforce the rule of law.
EU Membership at Risk?
Albania’s dream of joining the EU could face significant delays if these issues are not addressed. In past negotiations, the EU has blocked or slowed membership talks with countries that fail to meet key requirements. Romania and Bulgaria faced extended monitoring periods after joining due to corruption concerns, and similar conditions may apply to Albania.
While Albania’s leaders remain optimistic about their country’s European future, they must respond to growing criticism. The next steps in the process will depend on how seriously these concerns are taken and what actions follow.
The outcome remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: without meaningful reforms, Albania’s path to EU membership will remain on shaky ground.