Work starts on joint governance program

TIRANA, July 10 – After a clear and significant victory in the June 23 national elections, both the Socialist Party of Edi Rama and the Socialist Movement for Integration Party of Ilir Meta, which make up the core of the winning coalition, have started work on implementing the governing program for the next four years.
Working groups from both parties have been seen meeting every day to prepare the project which they said will bring a “renaissance” in the country for the next four years, referring to the title of the Socialist electoral campaign.
Ilir Beqja of the Socialists and Edmond Haxhinasto of SMI have been leading working group.
Meanwhile western ambassadors, especially those of the European Union member countries, have held regular contact with the transition team.
The international representatives said they were pleased with the fact that the new government has set the European integration process on top the agenda.
The Socialists have pledged to acquire the country’s EU candidate status this year and likely launch membership negotiations.
Albania applied for the EU’s candidate status in 2009 with the then-Democratic Party government. But it has received negative responses, with Europe asking for more reforms and tangible results, especially in the fight against corruption and organized crime and the rule of law.
The working group is expected to complete the program in the next days.
Meanwhile there is much talk about who will take posts in the new cabinet.
Socialist officials said the new government will have more ministries, but it will cost less to taxpayers than the current cabinet.
It also remains to be seen how the seats will be split between the Socialists and the SMI, a kingmaker party, which also government with the Democratic Party for nearly four years.
The new government is likely to face some tough challenges, particularly in the economy.
Rama, expected to be the next prime minister, has said he will conduct an international audit to find out the real situation of the country’s finances.
He has also said the Socialists may ask for a renewal of the IMF’s support to manage their finances. Democrats ended asked the IMF to leave several years ago, finding its advice too restrictive.