Minister Toni Gogu Says Parliament Has the Answer and Each Institution Should Perform Its Duty

The Constitutional Court’s ruling on magistrates’ wages, according to Minister of Justice Toni Gogu, is legally enforceable and must be put into effect. The minister emphasized that the matter must finally be rectified by closing the legal gap through Parliament.
The Constitutional Court’s rulings are enforceable and applicable. They cannot be compromised or relativized. For me, this is the core of my responsibility; it’s not a choice,” Gogu said.
The minister claims that the application of the Constitutional Court’s ruling and accountability for the use of public monies are not mutually exclusive. Conversely, both need a well-defined legal foundation.
“Citizens own public funds, not the government. Each and every cent in the state budget must be authorized by law. The application of the Constitutional Court’s ruling and fiscal responsibility are not mutually exclusive. Conversely, they need the same thing: unambiguous legal permission to carry it out,” the minister stated.
Gogu highlighted that the lack of a legal foundation for the magistrates’ remuneration formula in light of the Constitutional Court’s ruling is the issue at hand, not a disagreement about who is requesting more or offering less.
We must state unequivocally that the Constitutional Court’s annulment of the magistrates’ remuneration formula is the reason we are at this stage. The minister stated, “This gap needs to be filled where it belongs: in Parliament, through legislation.”
The minister described closing the legal gap as the institutional route to settling the disagreement and stated that the matter is anticipated to be addressed with the beginning of the new legislative session.
Conflicts between institutions are not the answer. The Albanian Parliament has the key to the solution. In carrying out the Constitutional Court’s ruling and with complete accountability for the state budget, it is my obligation to make sure that this is completed as soon as feasible and as effectively as possible,” Gogu stated.
When questioned about the lawsuit filed over the salary issue and the varying interpretations among judges, the minister emphasized that the Ministry of Justice does not have the ability to evaluate cases that belong to other institutions.
“I do not intend to judge the activities of Parliament or serve as the Constitutional Court. I don’t have that power. As Minister of Justice, I can assure you that I won’t give up until the legal gap is filled,” he said.
Minister Gogu concluded by summarizing his stance on upholding the constitutional authority and functions of institutions:
Parliament is where laws are made. The Constitutional Court’s rulings are carried out. Court is where judicial problems are settled. Everyone is in their right place.
The Constitutional Court’s ruling on magistrates’ wages, according to Minister of Justice Toni Gogu, is legally enforceable and must be put into effect. The minister emphasized that the matter must finally be rectified by closing the legal gap through Parliament.
The Constitutional Court’s rulings are enforceable and applicable. They cannot be compromised or relativized. For me, this is the core of my responsibility; it’s not a choice,” Gogu said.
The minister claims that the application of the Constitutional Court’s ruling and accountability for the use of public monies are not mutually exclusive. Conversely, both need a well-defined legal foundation.
“Citizens own public funds, not the government. Each and every dollar in the state budget must be authorized by law. The application of the Constitutional Court’s ruling and fiscal responsibility are not mutually exclusive. Conversely, they need the same thing: unambiguous legal permission to carry it out,” the minister stated.
Gogu highlighted that the lack of a legal foundation for the magistrates’ remuneration formula in light of the Constitutional Court’s ruling is the issue at hand, not a disagreement about who is requesting more or offering less.
We must state unequivocally that the Constitutional Court’s annulment of the magistrates’ remuneration formula is the reason we are at this stage. The minister stated, “This gap needs to be filled where it belongs: in Parliament, through legislation.”
The described closing the legal gap as the institutional route to settling the disagreement and stated that the matter is anticipated to be addressed with the beginning of the new legislative session.
Conflicts between institutions are not the answer. The Albanian Parliament has the key to the solution. In carrying out the Constitutional Court’s ruling and with complete accountability for the state budget, it is my obligation to make sure that this is completed as soon as feasible and as effectively as possible,” Gogu stated.
When questioned about the lawsuit filed over the salary issue and the varying interpretations among judges, the minister emphasized that the Ministry of Justice does not have the ability to evaluate cases that belong to other institutions.
“I do not intend to judge the activities of Parliament or serve as the Constitutional Court. I don’t have that power. As Minister of Justice, I can assure you that I won’t give up until the legal gap is filled,” the minister said.
Minister Gogu concluded by summarizing his stance on upholding the constitutional authority and functions of institutions:
Parliament is where laws are made. The Constitutional Court’s rulings are carried out. Court is where judicial problems are settled. Everyone is in their right place.