The upcoming May 8 local elections are the main topic in the daily political agenda of both political groupings _ governing Democratic Party and main opposition Socialist Party. But the opposition’s stand on them still throws doubt whether they will be held properly, despite the international pressure they should be used as the next democratic tool.
Tirana Times
TIRANA, March 3 – It is becoming more and more clear that opposition Socialist Party leader Edi Rama, also Tirana mayor, will run again for the post, this time against Interior Minister Lulzim Basha of the governing Democratic Party.
That is what was ‘smelled’ from the tit-fot-tat daily political squabbling between the opposition Socialsits and governing Democratic party of Prime Minister Sali Berisha.
Though not said explicitly Rama has broadly hinted, and that was strengthened by one of his adviser at a daily newspaper, that he may again run for the post, for the fourth time. That was not mentioned clearly and specifically by him who always says that will come at the due time and decided from the party’s leadership. But his words hinted he did not exclude running again.
There have been voices that some other leaders of the opposition, like former premier Pandeli Majko, could run for that. But nothing made public till now.
On the other side, Berisha almost made it an official nomination when he directed his words to Basha saying he should take care of the upcoming polls and his opponents.
Rama has won against three other Democratic Party candidates in the last decade _ Besnik Mustafaj, Spartak Ngjela and Sokol Olldashi. Basha this time will have a great challenge. He has learnt how local power is managed due to his post as interior minister. He has also many other competencies in his hand.
For Rama the challenge is much bigger as it will show if he is successful with his policies and if he normally should continue to stay at the political post at the head of the party.
For Basha it is just a challenge that has been prepared for a long time that he is mentioned as Rama’s opponent for the post. If he loses he still remains a strong hand for his boss, Berisha and may be moved to another post in the cabinet after the polls.
Fighting for Tirana will be the focus, the main target for both groupings. The capital has at least one-third of the country’s population, to say the least, and it is a test for them.
Rama also repeated that the opposition had never thought of boycotting the local elections. He said they will be used to oust Berisha from power. How? None can say that but it is obvious that the opposition is continuing its political agenda though slightly changing its direction.
He said the current political situation does not provide for normal elections, adding the opposition wanted to avoid a situation similar to the elections in 2009, which first led to the ongoing stalemate.
“A boycott of the election by the opposition is only a dream that [Prime Minister] Sali Berisha entertains,” Rama said, adding, “Elections cannot be held in these conditions and we have underlined our desire to change them.”
True, Rama also made a call or request to postpone the local polls because, as they have always said, no free and fair elections could be held under the existing conditions.
They claim that the government cannot hold normal elections referring to the manipulation in vote count at last parliamentary elections in 2009.
The opposition will hold fresh protests.
First, it will be the opposition women exploiting the international day of women in March 8 to hold their protest. That will be followed a week later, March 15 with a general protest of the opposition. That will also be used to commemorate the death of 26 people at the blast of the Gerdec ammunition disposal blast.
The opposition is directly accusing Berisha for 32 deaths: 26 in Gerdec in 2008, their lawmaker and commune head in Kukes in 2009, to be followed with four at the Jan. 21 protest.
The government, on its side, continues to blame the opposition for the protest and trying to come to power by force (though in milder tones now) and also accusing Prosecutor general Ina Rama of trying to hide proof of the opposition protest (despite continuous calls from the international community that the prosecutors should be left free to hold a thorough, overall investigation.
The international community continues to exert pressure on both sides, but especially on the opposition, that May 8 elections are the next democratic tool to exercise their political fight. US Ambassador Alexander Arvizu repeated Wednesday while in southwestern Vlora city that the local polls are the way in which the voters will show their political affiliation.
OSCE Secretary-General Marc Perrin de Brichambaut said during his visit this week in Tirana that the organization was being prepared for a large presence of international observers, “which, together with local observers, will guarantee a good electoral process.”
Brichambaut held meetings on Monday and Tuesday with Albania’s highest officials, including President Bamir Topi, Prime Minister Sali Berisha and opposition Socialist leader Edi Rama.
