Cracks start to show in governing coalition

TIRANA, July 24 – The Socialist Party of Prime Minister Edi Rama and its smaller ally in the governing coalition, the Socialist Movement for Integration of the Parliament Speaker Ilir Meta have seen friction for the first time since coming to power over a draft law on police.
Meta’s SMI is opposing the new draft law on the parts dealing with the creation of the new National Bureau of Investigation and the dissolution of the Guard of the Republic, the paramilitary body in charge of protecting high government institutions and officials.
The Socialists wanted to disband the guard, which they see as guilty of killing four Socialist protestors against Rama’s predecessor, Sali Berisha, on Jan. 21, 2011. But it seems they caved to their allies, with media reporting the guard will stay as is, it will only be renamed to better reflect its policing duties.