Governing coalition convenes to discuss next president

TIRANA, May 8 – Governing coalition member parties will meet Wednesday to discuss how they will vote in the elections of the next president in June.
The invitation to meet had been made by the Republic party.
Presidential election in June could spark a political debate that could end in new elections unless the two opposing political groups reach a consensus.
The ruling Democratic party has presented its parliamentary group head and deputy leader, Bamir Topi, as their presidential candidate. But Republicans have also introduced their president, Sabri Godo, as their candidate.
The opposition, on the other side, is against a candidate from the ruling majority saying that based on the consensus they reached five years ago the next president belongs to them, or they will call for new elections.
Former opposition Socialist party leader and prime minister Fatos Nano has declared himself as the best alternative to become the next president, though the opposition has yet to make public who could be their candidate.
There have also been voices within the opposition which support a second term for the existing president, Alfred Moisiu.
Meanwhile, there have been calls from Europe that the Albanian political parties should reach a consensus in electing the president, a move that may be seen as a test on the country’s efforts to be integrated into the European Union.
Prime Minister Sali Berisha seemed to soften his stance Monday when he met with Italian head of parliamentary foreign relations committee Umberto Ranieri.
Berisha said that he was not against a president coming out of the opposition ranks, adding that new elections were not desirable.
Everybody, including Berisha and the opposition, declare they are for a consensual president, though practically, at least until now, there is no clear indication both sides are working in that direction.