The holding of the May 8 local elections is at risk despite the international pressure. The opposition has not sent its
members of the voting commissions, which though not explicitly a boycott, it still means they cannot be held without them.
The political conflict, deteriorated after the Jan. 21 deadly riot, sees no way out at this moment.
Tirana Times
TIRANA, Feb. 22 – The holding of the May 8 local elections are the issue in contest at this moment and there are all the signs they are at serious risk.
The Central Election Commission started a project on how to replace vacant places commissioners of the opposition Socialist Party and those of the Human Rights Union Party at the zone units. It was made only after all the deadlines were crossed from the opposition, a move which was also hailed from the Organization from Security and Cooperation in Europe.
Meanwhile the opposition has said it will not boycott the local polls and is only asking for the resignation of Prime Minister Sali Berisha, arguing that his ‘corrupt’ government cannot guarantee free and fair elections.
On Tuesday an opposition leader made clear what their requests at this moment.
Gramoz Ruci said they want a change of the leadership of the CEC, that is a change of its head Arben Ristani, and also guarantees that the government will not exploit negatively the voters’ list and also the identity cards. The last two are old requests, ones they have mentioned also four years ago.
This time they have to convince the international institutions as well that the new voters’ list is really to be trusted. Last time they complained that the government allegedly issued fake IDs and also played hard with the counting of the votes.
That position has been openly criticized from international officials, who see the upcoming ballot as a way to diffuse tensions and stabilize the country before the political crisis gets out of control.
Albania has been facing renewed political crisis in recent weeks following the Jan. 21 violent clashes between state security forces and protesters.
Prime Minister Sali Berisha claims that his government is the victim of a failed coup attempt, orchestrated by opposition Socialists. Meanwhile, opposition leader Edi Rama accuses Berisha of turning a peaceful protest into a bloodbath and attacking any institution that does not agree with his version of the facts.
The recent tension between Rama’s Socialists and the ruling majority of Prime Minister Berisha has aggravated an already poisoned political climate which has been in a troubled state since the disputed June 2009 parliamentary elections.
Socialist leader Edi Rama has repeatedly said they will not boycott the polls but has also added that they cannot be held without the opposition.
What the opposition is doing is in practice a boycott.
The same pressure has been noted four years ago when again the opposition exerted pressure but at the end got into the polls.
It may not be the same this time as the political fight has gone to new heights.
Rama himself may also consider it a form of personal challenge that will very much decide his further stay at the leadership of the opposition party. There have been hints in the local press Tuesday that Rama may not run for the post of the capital Tirana’s mayor this time.
On the other side, the governing Democrats seem to have decided that Interior Minister Lulzim Basha will run for the post.
That makes that post very debatable and eager for both political groupings to have. Winning in Tirana means a big victory for both of the political sides.
The next days Albanians will see how the Washington pressure will try to change such a deadlock. U.S. Deputy Secretary of States James Steinberg visits Tirana Friday and meets with all top leaders. It is very much expected he will again call on the opposition to take part at the local polls.
