International calls to end political stalemate

TIRANA, Oct. 27 – The internatinal community continuoes to insist that Albania shoudl give an end to its political deadlock that is hampering its democratic reforms and itnegration efforts.
In the recent call the new head of the Organziation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Eugen Wollfarth reminded everyone that “In talking about ‘elections and the challenges of electoral reform in Albania’ the details of any reform should be for Albanians and Albanians alone to discuss, agree and ultimately implement.”
First the Council of Europe (that managed only to give an end to the opposition’s parliament boycott) and then the European Parliament and also supported from the European Commission (Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele’s office) have been trying to push, urge the Albanian opposing political groupings to reach a compromise in resolving the situation.
No results until now.
The opposition continues to insist that without the last year’s vote transparency (with a partial recount in alleged manipulated ballot boxes, something that is harshly turned down from the governing majority saying that violates the law) there could be no progress and have also hinted they could boycott the local elections expected to be held in May next year.
Meanwhile authorities need also complete the amendments or reform of the electoral code based on the OSCE/ODIHR recommendations, something that cannot be done without the opposition’s presence and votes at the parliament.
Wollfarth said that due to the fact that last year’s elections “did not fully realize Albania’s potential to adhere to the highest standards for democratic elections” “it is clear that further electoral reform is necessary.”
Wollfarth suggested that the electoral reform should focus on the local government elections and a “second half on reform of parliamentary elections to take place straight after local government elections.”
that seems such a hard task to be fulfilled by the country’s political parties that are not agreeing to sit down and talk, not to say more.
The opposition insists now they will resume the street protests (after European Union’s Council of Interior Ministers decides on the visa liberalization Nov. 8).
“Local government elections have to happen and they have to happen in a professional manner where all and not just some of the OSCE commitments are met,” warned Wollfarth, words that seem to be directed on both groupings.
“The task, as I see it, is for the country to finally and irrevocably turn the page to the story of problematic elections in Albania. It is now time for all political parties to put the national interest first and to fulfill this important task.”