JUSTICE REFORM IN ALBANIA AND ITS IMPACT ON DEMOCRACY (2016-2023)

Abstract

The instruments of the judicial system are the Constitution and national, international, and European law that the country has adopted and ratified. Law quality and democratic legislation are on one side. The rule of law is the instrument of this quality law and democratic legislation to determine above all and for everything. All should be equal before the law. No one can escape the responsibility to respect the law. The study analysis is divided into two spheres. The theoretical analysis focuses on justice reform, beginning with the constitutional reform in 2016, the vetting process, and the new judicial institutions that have contributed to the consolidation of the rule of law, balance of power, accountability, and transparency as foundations of liberal democracy. Implementation analysis, which analyses the effectiveness of the justice reform through 2016-2023. The challenges have prolonged the justice reform leading to debatable outcomes. The methodology is conducted through interviews, analysis of formal documents, academic contribution, and data highlighting the uncertainty of the contribution of justice reform in the Albanian judiciary.