Berisha urges selection of a consensual president

TIRANA, May 25 – Just back from Brussels where he met with NATO and European Union officials, Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha said that the country’s best option to move forward was not with new parliamentary elections, but by choosing a consensual president.
On Thursday, European Union Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn made it clear to Berisha that Europe did not welcome new elections in Albania and urged its political parties to find consensus in electing the next president.
The opposition welcomed the idea, saying they would first convene a round table of the opposition political parties to decide on a candidate and then sit down in discussions with their opponents.
“The government is determined for consensual election,” said Berisha at a government meeting, adding that he hoped the opposition would also agree.
In fact, both sides have always said they want a consensual president. However, it is not known whether both sides are sincere about reaching a consensus.
Berisha’s ruling Democratic Party has proposed Bamir Topi for the presidential post, while their allies, the Republicans, have offered their president, Sabri Godo. Another ally, the Christian Democrats ,have hinted they could support the existing president, Alfred Moisiu, if he chose to serve another term.
The opposition has yet to decide which candidate they would support, though they have also hinted they might agree to support Moisiu.
Also, the Socialists former leader and premier, Fatos Nano, has declared himself as the most appropriate candidate for president.