Electoral reform remains a top priority

TIRANA, Dec. 23 – The electoral reform has remained a top priority for the country’s political parties. There is still no compromise among the two main parties _ governing Democratic Party and main opposition Socialist Party _ and their smaller allies. There is still no clear indication which system is mostly supported by them, the tradition majority or proportional, or a mixture. But what remains an issue of concern and dispute is the electoral percentage needed to enter the parliament. As expected and heard during this post-communist period the smaller parties from both political wings would not want a higher figure than the existing 2.5 percent. It is only the opposition Socialist Movement for Integration which is suggesting a four percent figure. There are only two-three small political parties that practically surpass the existing level of 2.5 percent and a higher figure threatens that many of the small political parties will no longer be in the parliament, even if they reach coalitions with each other.