Parties urge supporters to travel back for the elections, as they can’t vote outside the country
TIRANA, April 29 – Albanian political parties have dedicated a lot of resources in efforts to attract Albanians who live and work abroad to come to Albania and vote in the next parliamentary elections on June 23.
In recent days, there have been many activities for that purpose from both major political parties.
In Tirana, the leader of the main opposition Socialist Party, Edi Rama met with representatives emigrants offering ways how his new government, if he comes to power, will try to negotiate with neighboring Greece and Italy on their social insurance. Most of Albania’s emigrants, officially more one million, are in these two countries alone.
In another move, the Socialist Movement for Integration Party leader Ilir Meta made a visit to Athens, Greece where he met with many Albanian immigrants. He urged them come and cast their ballot for the opposition in order to bring the change.
The next day, Prime Minister Sali Berisha of the governing Democratic Party reacted immediately accusing the Socialists and their leader of hampering the passing of the law for the immigrants’ right to vote in the countries where they reside.
There have also been reports from the local media that the governing Democrats will spend money to pay flights to bring emigrants to vote.
It is obvious that immigrants with their considerable number may be a determining factor for the polls. Albanian law so far does not allow for people to vote outside Albania.
