Albania Fills Key Justice Post

Cefa was a member of the High Council of Justice, appointed by the Parliament with the backing of the ruling majority of Prime Minister Sali Berisha. He is considered a member of Berisha’s inner circle.

The council is Albania’s most important judicial body as it supervises first instance and appeals court judges. The deputy chairman is the administrative head of the High Council of Justice, which is chaired by the president.

The post had been vacant since February, when former deputy chairman Kreshnik Spahiu resigned in order to pursue a political career with the nationalist movement, the Red and Black Alliance.

Spahiu had come under pressure from the ruling majority, which accused him of using his position in the council to advance his political career.

The ruling Democratic Party launched a parliamentary probe in mid-January against Spahiu, arguing that he had “discredited his constitutional role”.