Though postponed the census remains a top issue in the daily debates in the country, surprisingly, and not, out of the
political agenda and vocabulary. Is it a simple patriotism, or a step ahead while the country tries European integration?
Tirana Times
TIRANA, March 8 – Albania postponed holding the census planned for next month following intensive pressure from many non-governmental organizations and other civic society personalities.
The government said they postponed it for alter this year, likely October or November, due to the local authorities elections planned for May 8.
Despite all these developments the holding of the census and its two main debatable issues _ self-declaration of nationality and religious affiliation _ remain the main topics in the daily debate all around the country.
But that timing has also been said presents a threat to the country as neighbouring Greece could exert much pressure on Europe ahead of the annual progress report for Albania, not to include here the political fight in the country that threatens much of its integration steps.
A Greek foreign ministry spokesman referred to a general census in neighbouring Albania, following news that the census was postponed until the autumn instead of the previously scheduled April date.
Grigoris Delavekouras said the development, “combined with intense reactions by certain nationalist circles and, unfortunately, by some state functionaries, against the inclusion of voluntary questions regarding national origin, religious affiliation and the mother tongue of respondents create questions over the real reasons for the postponement.”
He also reminded that the specific census questions comprise an obligation on the part of the Albanian government towards the EU.
Along the same line, the city council in south eastern Korca issued a statement asking Greek authorities expel their consul Theodhoros Ikonomou from the post due to his extremist nationalistic statements earlier this year that people in the city should register as ethnic Greeks.
The local media reported that Ikonomou has returned to Korca only to hand over the duties.
Civil organizations in the south-western port city of Vlora started signing a petition asking the parliament to amend two articles of the law on census.
