Arben Malaj to run for the Socialist’s top post

TIRANA, Aug 5 – Arben Malaj, a lawmaker and also former finance minister of the main opposition Socialist Party, has said that he will run for the post of the party leadership at the Aug 29 convention.
The Socialist Party decided to hold the convention to analyze the loss of the June 28 parliamentary poll and also elect the new leader to replace Edi Rama.
Based on the party statute, the chairman of the party is suspended if they lose in the polls.
Socialists got 66 seats compared to 70 of the governing Democratic party of Prime Minister Sali Berisha. Four were taken by the Socialist Movement for Integration of Ilir Meta, who decided to join ranks of the Democrats in forming a new government.
At their assembly held at the end of last month the Socialists said that politically they will not recognize the final results of the polls due to alleged “abuse” by the governing Democrats. They also said they will not recognize any new government calling it illegitimate. But on the other hand they said they will be present at the new parliament to investigate the manipulation of the vote count.
There have been voices in the Socialist Party that Rama should leave the post and not re-nominate himself at the August convention saying that his leadership failed.
Rama has not said anything though it is well understood he will run again for the post and it is very likely that he has the required number of votes at the party leadership to be re-elected.
Malaj is supported by a few other lawmakers in their challenge to Rama. Malaj said that together with some colleagues and experts he was preparing a new strategy to be introduced at the convention.