WFD in Albania, in collaboration with the Albanian Parliament, recently marked a significant milestone by successfully piloting the Post-Legislative Scrutiny (PLS) process. The methodology for PLS has also received approval from the Chairs’ Conference of the Parliament. This development underscores the increasing significance of PLS as a vital tool for enhancing parliamentary oversight and legislative effectiveness in Albania. 

The first Post-Legislative Scrutiny (PLS) pilot focused on the Law on Tourism was led by opposition MP and Chair of the European Integration Committee, Jorida Tabaku. The success of this initiative was greatly supported by the PLS Working Group, which included the technical secretariat of the European Integration Committee and trained technical staff from the Parliament. Their collaborative efforts showcased a shared commitment to advancing this vital process. The Parliament’s dedication to piloting the Law on Tourism PLS highlights its strong ownership and recognition of PLS as an essential tool for enhancing legislative oversight. This initiative has inspired two additional parliamentary committees to adopt PLS in their own work, further strengthening the legislative framework in Albania.

The first PLS pilot generated significant interest from civil society and the business community, whose contributions provided valuable insights and recommendations. Engaging a diverse range of stakeholders in the consultation process for the PLS Report on the Law on Tourism created an important opportunity to gather public feedback. Participants identified key challenges, including ineffective coordination at both national and regional level, delays in the standardization process, the absence of a national sectoral plan, and the limited effectiveness of the Advisory Committee for the Private Sector of Tourism as a dialogue platform between policymakers and stakeholders. In response, the government promptly addressed the issues highlighted in the PLS report, marking a positive outcome that underscores the immediate impact of the PLS process on executive actions and reinforces accountability to Parliament.

WFD and the Albanian Parliament are actively working to institutionalize Post-Legislative Scrutiny (PLS) by amending the Parliament’s internal regulations to integrate PLS into its procedural framework. These initiatives represent a significant advancement in enhancing Albania’s legislative oversight mechanisms, reinforcing the Parliament’s commitment to effective governance and accountability.