Berisha-Meta in coalition

TIRANA, July 6 – Former Albanian Prime Minister and current Social Movement Party leader Ilir Meta accepted an invitation from Prime Minster Sali Berisha to create a new coalition government, following Albania’s June 28th parliamentary elections, which were under intense internal and external pressure to meet international election standards.
“After taking into account Albania’s current political and economic status as a young democratic nation, I have decided to accept Mr. Berisha’s invitation to form a governing coalition,” Meta said. “We will work together with the newly elected parliament to create a vibrant and robust Albania, worthy of continued European integration.”
“My decision to join Mr. Berisha in creating this coalition was based on an extensive evaluation of what would be in the best interest of the Albanian people and in Albania’s future as a potential EU member,” Meta continued. “Our recent elections were a critical opportunity for Albania to prove its commitment to democracy and our country’s strengths as a new NATO member.”
Election officials in preliminary results said that Berisha’s Democratic Party won 47 percent of the vote, giving them 71 seats in the 140-seat parliament. Meta’s Social Movement Party won four seats, while the main Socialist opposition party, led by Tirana mayor Edi Rama, won 65 seats.
The recent elections were a critical opportunity for Albania to prove its capabilities as a young democratic nation and its ability to hold free and fair elections. Albania was recently accepted as a NATO member and applied for membership to the European Union in April 2009.
Election monitors from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe announced their preliminary findings last week, which determined that although there were improvements in this year’s parliamentary elections, certain violations persisted and greater efforts must be made to meet international election standards.