Berisha: Ready to approve opposition’s electoral reforms

TIRANA, Oct. 11 – Prime Minister Sali Berisha said last week in the southern city of Gjirokastra that the governing Democratic Party he leads would be ready to approve any law on electoral reform offered by the opposition.
The same day, it became public that EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele had sent a letter to Berisha telling the prime minister that he was responsible to give an end to the country’s political deadlock as the leader of the main party.
Albania is in a standstill since the parliamentary elections last year.
The opposition Socialist party of Tirana Mayor Edi Rama claims vote count manipulation and wants a recount in some areas. The governing Democrats say that is against the laws and the Constitution.
The opposition first did not recognize the parliament. It started street protests. The Council of Europe mediation returned it to parliament but could not convince them accept a commission created there.
They resumed street protests to culminate with a hunger strike, again ending following international (Europe’s) mediation.
Then they decided not to take part in any voting in parliament, which means it cannot pass any law (especially those needed for the reform toward European integration) asking for a three-fifth or 84 votes, which Democrats and their allies do not have without the opposition presence.
So the answer to Berisha’s offer for the electoral law stops at their request for a vote recount.