LSI forces cabinet reshuffle

TIRANA, Sep. 13 – The Socialist Movement for Integration, a junior partner in Albania’s governing coalition on Monday said it wanted to replace Economy Minister Dritan Prifti, who has been accused by the opposition of corruption.
LSI, as the party is known by its Albanian acronym, said it had asked Prime Minister Sali Berisha to replace Prifti with its leader, current Foreign Minister Ilir Meta.
The party said in a statement that the switch was not the result of the opposition claims that Prifti enriched himself through allegedly illicit sale of share in a company he owned, but to improve government efficiency.
Under the coalition deal with Berisha’s Democrats, the Socialist Party for Integration controls the economy, foreign affairs and health portfolios. It has proposed its deputy party leader Edmond Haxhinasto, now a vice minister of transport, as the new foreign minister to replace Meta.
The cabinet changes require Berisha’s approval.
The prime minister confirmed he was aware of the proposals, adding that due to the country’s international goals he had kept Meta in his post though he was long asked to be placed in another position and let him be closer his political party structures.
“It is the right of each political force of the coalition to set the composition of its representation in the cabinet,” Berisha told reporters. “As leader of the governing Democratic Party and as prime minister I will respect the decision.”
Meta, on his side, said afterward that as a foreign minister he had spend a third of his time in office outside Albania. He allegedly meant that he was more valuable to his party if he was present in the country ahead of the local elections in May next year.
Berisha added that no other changes in the cabinet would be made referring to his own political party.
Through the changes, the LSI also showed that it a strong presence in the governing coalition.
Berisha also added LSI is the main ally in the coalition and that means he would not oppose their proposals.