TIRANA, Nov. 16 – Socialist Party lawmakers have filed an official request in parliament to seek the sacking of Klement Zguri, the head of Albania’s Central Election Commission, over his interpretation of the decriminalization law, allowing a Democratic Party mayor to stay in office.
The Socialists say Mallakaster Mayor Agron Kapllanaj had been convicted in Italy and must be removed from office, but Zguri had dismissed the case without allowing the entire CEC to vote on it.
Zguri, who is a center-right nominee, was elected to the post as a result of the May 18 political agreement between the ruling Socialists and the opposition Democrats.
SP lawmakers said “Zguri lost the trust that was granted to him … in a gross display of political partisanship and lack of professionalism.”
However, the Democratic Party said the move was simply an effort to distract the public from the government’s cannabis-related scandals.
In addition, the Coalition of Domestic Observers issued a statement saying it was against the move to sack Zguri, saying CEC needs political acceptance to be independent.
It said it was against the ruling majority’s aim to dismiss Zguri through biased or political means as it would mark a bad precedent.
