Berisha says no Cabinet reshuffle until NATO summit

TIRANA, Jan. 20 – During a visit to Kor衬 Prime Minister Sali Berisha ruled out any support of a possible Cabinet reshuffle.
“The Government is moving quickly towards accomplishing these reforms. The intensity of these reforms is self-evident. Now that we find ourselves walking the last mile towards NATO’s invitation of membership, the signs are becoming ever more positive and tell of the real possibility of receiving the invitation,” he said.
Berisha urged all political parties to unite, and by declaring that “reforms are not intended for Government changes,” he rejected those calling for a possible cabinet reshuffle soon.
There have been many voices, including from his governing coalition, calling for a change of some ministers.
The leader of the Christian Democratic Movement, Nikolle Lesi, urged Berisha to reshuffle the cabinet as soon as possible in order not to risk re-election in the 2009 general elections.
“I believe the Government should definitely change between the April – May period, after NATO’s Summit in Bucharest, and that the reformation of the right wing politics (and coalition) must be undertaken according to suggestions made by (leader of the Republican Party) Fatmir Mediu,” who argued that current ministers, who do not necessarily represent the political right and whose parties are also known to have collaborated with the left wing in the past, should be removed,” said Lesi.
Such criticism is mainly directed at the Environment Minister, Lufter Xhuveli, of the Environmentalist Agrarian Party.
In another reaction, Health Minister and leader of the Christian Democratic Party, Nard Ndoka, said the existing government cabinet had undertaken the deepest reforms ever seen during 17 post-communist years and there was no need for a reshuffle.