Governing coalition to reshuffle in September

TIRANA, Aug 10 – The head of the governing Democratic Party parliamentary group, Astrit Patozi, said his party would begin negotiations in September for a new make up of the coalition that will bring the party to the next general elections.
However, there remains different opinions in the governing coalition, headed by the Democrats.
The coalition has had significant changes this year. First the Republican party, the second most important member of the group, withdrew from participation in the cabinet when its leader, Fatmir Mediu, resigned as defense minister in March following the deadly explosion at the Gerdec ammunition disposal factory.
Months later they regained their position. At the end of July, Anila Godo, daughter of their president, Sabri Godo, became the new health minister undertaking a serious and challenging job in a troubled health system.
But that displeased the Christian Democrats whose leader, Nard Ndoka, had been fired from that post. That party was also involved in an internal fight after Ndoka, challenged by another top leader, created a separate Christian Democratic party. The court is now being asked to decide which is the real party.
At this moment, the New Democratic Party of Genc Pollo is also hinting they my merge with the Democrats. Pollo was transferred from the education minister to become Berisha’s deputy. He has also had previously served as Berisha’s adviser.
The monarchist party may likely ask, next year, to become part of the governing coalition and be given a more significant role.
The Human Rights Union Party of Vangjel Dule is uncertain where it is going next year, to side itself with the Democrats, as now, or with the Socialists, as in a previous government.
All these moves will begin to be resolved in September, but the final coalition will likely take much time to be finalized, and also to receive Berisha’s blessing.