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Despite protests by journalists, the first law on the AMA function received 82 votes in favor, 13 against and 5 abstentions. The second law on AKEP's function has been voted with 87 votes in favor, 10 against and 3 abstentions.
The 'Anti-Defamation' package was also amended at the last minute before the vote, on the proposal of SP parliamentary group leader Taulant Balla. According to Balla's proposal, the AMA's decisions may be appealed to the administrative court of the first instance.
The so-called 'Anti-Defamation' package has been strongly opposed by media associations and civil society, as they say, the law marks a step backward for the country and leads to censorship of free speech.
In his speech during plenary discussions, the prime minister defended his government's Anti-Defamation package, which said the head of government is not an individual initiative, but a project discussed for a year and 100% agreed with the OSCE.
Also during today's session has been adopted the state budget for 2020.