Socialists don’t recognize poll results, but to go to parliament

TIRANA, July 29 – The opposition Socialist Party decided that the results of the June 28 parliamentary elections in Albania were unacceptable, but they also said they would not boycott the new parliament.
The Socialist Party’s national assembly passed a resolution offered by party leader Edi Rama late on Tuesday, condemning the election process and calling it crippled.
The document states that the election failed to meet the required standards, and therefore, the election’s outcome is unacceptable and the institutions arising from this process, including the government, are illegitimate.
Socialists said they will press ahead with probes within the parliament to prove the manipulation of the election process.
But allegedly after pressure from a small group within the Socialists, they decided not to boycott the parliament.
The assembly also decided to hold an extraordinary congress on August 29, when the party is expected to make final decisions.
Annalists say the upcoming congress will unveil the Socialists’ stands about snap polls.
During the meeting of the Socialist Party another draft-resolution was put forward by Ben Blushi, a senior Socialist Party member, but the motion won just 15 out of 155 votes. The motion called for the Socialists to concede the results of the June 28 elections.
Blushi made it clear that Rama’s mandate had been suspended at the moment based on the statute of the party, adding that Rama should not re-nominate himself for the post at the congress as his project had failed.
But the assembly and most of the members there made it clear that Rama is to keep his post.
The statute says that the party leader should resign if he loses. The Socialists did lose in the June 28 election as governing Democratic Party-led coalition of Prime Minister Sali Berisha won 70 seats compared to 66 of the Socialist-led coalition.
Berisha was also joined by the other smaller leftist Socialist Movement for Integration Party of Ilir Meta with its four seats, thus sufficient to form the new cabinet.
That is to happen at the beginning of September.
But did Rama lose? That is very questionable as one may interpret the party statute in a different way. The Socialists have 66 seats from 42 four years ago. The socialists as a single party had 10,000 more votes than Berisha’s Democrats, but not as a coalition.
The socialists could also claim to form the government if they were joined by Meta’s LSI.
Thus the obligation for resignation is questionable. But it is learnt that Rama will offer his resignation and also seek re-nomination for the party post, following which it is almost sure he will regain the post.
Still the assembly spoke more of the party divisions. Blushi and a few other senior leaders and new lawmakers have been openly asking for Rama’s resignation.
At the moment that could work in favor of the opposing Democratic Party as the opposition Socialists have no other top leader – like Rama – to join the ranks of the party at the moment.
Rama called the election results unacceptable.
Rama said that all opposing views were understandable and acceptable but also added he would continue denouncing the vote irregularities and the dialogue with the people until starting the protests.
The resolution of the assembly was very quick, saying non-recognition of voting results but go to parliament to investigate the alleged manipulation. What did it really mean?
The Aug. 29 extraordinary congress will likely give more clear answers to the party members and their militants.
Edi Rama is still on top and likely that will continue. What are the Blushi group to do? And, what is more important, what is the Socialist Party going to do in opposition?