Electoral reform, opposition – majority clash continues
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TIRANA, Sep. 22 - Clashes between the opposition and the Socialist majority on the electoral reform continue as the two debate whether or not they should seek the assistance of the OSCE / ODIHR in the decision-making process.
In a lengthy discussion on Tuesday, the opposition urged the Socialist party to seek answers from the OSCE / ODIHR about the current Electoral Code mechanism for coalitions, the formula for distributing mandates, open lists, changing electoral rules 6 months before elections, as well as violations of equality in the political race.
However, SP representative Damian Gjiknuri refused to turn to the OSCE / ODIHR, as long as all parties are still not making an effort to reach an understanding.
The opposition said it was concerned about a change in electoral rules a few months before the election by the Socialists because it violated equality in the race, citing suspicion on the Socialists' proposals on open lists and the electoral system, including the formula of the distribution of mandates.
The time for the approval of the new formula on the open lists, coalitions as the electoral threshold is running, and everything will have to be concluded within the next 7 days. In a post on Twitter, US Ambassador Yuri Kim brought to the attention of Prime Minister Edi Rama, President of the opposition Lulzim Basha and other political leaders, the commitments made in the June 5 agreement and other measures that went beyond this agreement, emphasizing that “proposals and counter-proposals must be made in good faith."
According to President Ilir Meta, the current situation risks being an obstacle for the country's advancement on the path of European integration.
"Unfortunately, the behavior with the constitutional changes, unconstitutional and completely one-sided, that attacked, or tried to attack the June 5 Agreement, shows that we are in a course opposite to what is expected from all Albanians and all our serious partners in the European Union, "Meta stated after holding a meeting with the ambassadors of the European Union countries.
Meta added that the responsibility lies solely with the government. "There is still some time left to reflect and I wish there is reflection. Otherwise, the responsibility will be solely on one culprit. There will be no two or four culprits. There will be only one culprit, who for his personal fate seeks to question the fate of 4 million Albanians," the President said.
In July, the the SP approved the establishment of an open-list system, which stipulates that the voters will be able to choose 2/3 of the deputies in the parties' list, while 1/3 will be decided by the political parties based on gender representation. Through this agreement, clauses 1 and 2 in articles 64 and 68 of the Albanian Constitution will be amended in order to provide open lists, but will make it impossible from now on to enter the elections with pre-electoral coalitions.
The opposition has kept its stance towards the approval of the June 5 agreement, claiming that "unilateral constitutional changes that undermine it, as well as the continuation of political dialogue between the parties, is the only way to maintain the consensus reached, which has been maintained. note from the partners and increases the chances for the start of Albania's membership talks with the European Union."
