Albania passes census law

TIRANA, July 9 – Last week the Albanian parliament passed the Law on Census of population and households, due to be implemented in October– a move that is openly opposed by some organizations for allegedly trying to undermine the country’s ethnicity.
The opposition Socialists did not take part in the voting as they have been boycotting the parliament since the May 8 local polls.
Minister for Innovation and ICT Genc Pollo, who is also the head of the State Census Commission, said the law met all European standards.
“Albanian citizens will be able to freely express their ethnic and religious affiliation and mother tongue. However, they are not forced to answer these sensitive questions,” said Pollo.
The Red-and-Black Alliance, a civic organization, has been lobbying against such a law and census fearing that the question on ethnicity and religion will cause many Albanians to declare themselves as Greek in order to maintain their jobs and residency in Greece.
They also drafted a petition and have asked the parliament to hold a session on a referendum for such the issue.