Albania’s Democratic Party-led opposition on Tuesday condemned a government decision to postpone application of the new civil service law for six months.
“Edi Rama has announced the nullification for six months of the law that was approved with the consensus of all political parties,” the head of the Democratic Party, Lulzim Basha, said.

“Rama has ignored the warnings of the opposition and thrown away a consensus reached in parliament,” Basha added, claiming the delay jeopardized vital reforms necessary for Albania’s path towards EU integration.

The new centre-left government postponed application of new civil service law, which was due to enter in force this Tuesday, to April 1.

In an interview with Voice of America, from New York, Rama argued that the postponement was necessary because the law could not be implemented in practice, adding that the delay enjoyed the EU’s blessing.

“The postponement is necessary because during all this period the necessary regulations to make the law applicable have not been approved,” Rama said.

“This comes on the suggestion of our partners [in the EU] that have helped us draft the law,” he added.

The Democrats maintain that the delay is bound up with a Socialist drive to replace civil servants with party supporters, following their victory in the June 23, parliamentary elections.

The new law on civil service was part of package of reforms pushed by the European Commission in 2012, in order for Albania to receive EU candidate country status.

The law aims to create a truly professional civil service that is not affected by political interference, containing guarantees for public employees and penalties for managers that might dismiss them illegally.

The law also provides rules for the evaluation of the performance of civil servants, disciplinary measures and appeals process, outlining the rights and duties for the employees of the public administration. Balkaninsight