Europe has made a harsh warning to Albanian politicians: work together for the country’s reform and integration, or forget about membership in the bloc. But what should Albanian citizens, who ‘behaved’ democratically in the May 8 local elections, do?
TIRANA, June 16 – Europe said it bluntly this week: resolve the political deadlock on your own, or forget about membership in the bloc.
Fourteen Albanian lawmakers held a session at the European Parliament in Strasbourg to discuss the country’s EU integration, in the first round of meetings of the Stabilization and Association Agreement between Albania and the European Parliament. It was the 3rd joint interparliamentary committee between Albania and the EU.
They were supposed to basically discuss the Progress Report that will be adopted in October and the meeting of the 12 requirements that the European Commission has given Albania for integration progress.
Instead, however, the May 8 local elections and the political impasse in the tiny western Balkan country dominated the talks held behind closed doors. Tensions were so high that European parliamentarians could not even urge their Albanian counterpart even to sign a joint statement at the end.
The Albanian delegation consisted of seven representatives of the majority Democrats and seven of the opposition Socialists.
There was just one item which they could be proud of: Albanians have not violated the visa-free regime.
The government also submitted to Brussels the action plan on the implementation of the 12 Recommendations of the European Commission.
Yet, The electoral battle has diverted energies from that endeavor.
“We need to go back to implementing the reform agenda if we want to make sure that Albania can progress on its path towards EU integration,” said EU enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele.
“It is now essential to face the fragility of its political system and provide adequate answers. The skills and capacities exist in the country. Now is the time to find the will and the determination to use these skills in the interest of all Albanian citizens.”
European diplomats and lawmakers diplomatically considered Albania’s political situation as “tense,” but did not forget to mention also “the political crisis in Albania, the tragic events of 21 January, and the increasingly bitter political deadlock,” as Fuele said.
Europe said they had all set hopes on the May local elections, “the good conduct of which would contribute to help Albania come out from the long-standing political stalemate.”
“The process was assessed by all observers as generally positive. Counting, although delayed and interrupted on several occasions, was also generally considered as functioning well and being transparent. Unfortunately, a very difficult situation arose as a result of the problems in the tabulation of the results in Tirana,” said Fuele.
The situation, referred to by Fuele, arose after a recent decision of the Electoral College, Albania’s top electoral court, asking the Central Election Commission to reconsider contested and miscast votes in 368 out of 485 ballot boxes.
The CEC declared Democratic candidate Lulzim Basha as the winner with a 81 vote lead following a decision to include in the final tally also those votes cast in the wrong boxes–something which was strongly opposed by the opposition.
The initial count had shown opposition Socialist leader Edi Rama with a preliminary victory of 10 votes in the Tirana race.
Prime Minister Sali Berisha has called on the opposition to stop the negative propaganda for the judges of the college and to respect the rule of law in Albania.
Fuele said that all international actors in the play have shown clearly that though the Albanian electoral code does not directly regulate the validity of ballots found in a ballot box other than the one corresponding to the type of election for that ballot, the CEC decision on was suspicious.
Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjoern Jangbland made public a letter that he had sent to Prime Minister Berisha expressing his concern for the situation following the Tirana mayoral elections and noting that the political division has become so severe that it may threaten the proper functioning of democratic institutions, good governance and further economic progress.
Jangbland invites political parties to enter into a genuine dialogue on how to overcome the political deadlock, and adds his intention to ask the Venice Commission for an opinion on how to avoid similar situations in future elections.
“Confrontational rhetoric will only increase tension in the country. The electoral process must be finalized calmly, constructively and with a focus on the future. It is evident that a comprehensive reform of the electoral code is needed and must be carried out by the ruling majority together with the opposition and the civil society,” said Fuele.
The international community is trying vigorously to urge Albanian politicians to “find a way to talk together and to take the necessary decisions in the interest of the country and of its citizens.”
Such a stand will clearly be put at the annual progress report that the EU brings out in October and that means that Albania should forget for the moment the idea of getting the candidate status from Brussels.
Europeans make it clear that the stalemate and lack of dialogue continue to hamper the effective functioning of the Assembly as laws requiring reinforced 3/5 majority vote are still blocked; important appointments such as that of the Ombudsman and judges of the High and Constitutional Court are also put on hold– effectively ensuring that rule of law will remain a challenge for Albania.
Fuele invited the opposition to fully participate in Parliament activities and to use this institutional forum to achieve its political objectives.
Progress still needs to be made to complete the legal framework for the judicial reform itself. There remain substantial shortcomings regarding the independence, transparency and accountability of the judicial system.
In the fight against corruption, it will be important to ensure the full implementation of legal and that institutional measures have been taken.
The property issue remains unresolved.
Further work is needed in particular for the treatment of persons in police custody and in implementing measures in favor of the Roma.
Fuele also highlighted the freedom and independence of the media, which is one of the fundamental building blocks of mature democracies. Rules regulating the media sector should be applied in a fair and equal manner to all outlets.
He also said that the economic situation in Albania remains overall positive, but added that “If Albania will move forward with structural reforms, and if political instability will be overcome, I am sure that this will have a positive impact on foreign investment and tourism.”
Albania’s path toward EU is clear. What is not clear is if its politicians really do want that, or just make propaganda.
