Albania opposition decides to boycott parliament

TIRANA, Sep 5 – Albania’s opposition Socialist Party said it would boycott the new parliament claiming the governing Democratic Party of Prime Minister Sali Berisha rigged the vote in the June 28 general election.
Opposition lawmakers met Saturday and called for an investigation. The parliament holds its opening session Monday following Berisha’s re-election. The new Cabinet is also expected to be announced that day.
The Socialists won 65 seats, their Human Rights Union Party one; while the Democrats control 68, their Republican and Justice and Integration Party one each, and the small left-wing LSI party won four seats in the 140-member parliament.
Berisha has formed an alliance with Meta’s LSI and nominated him as his deputy and foreign minister, while two others would keep the economy and health ministries. The LSI would also have one of the parliament’s deputy speakers.
International monitors will issue a report later this month, but have already cited political interference in vote counting.