Majority determined to vote for new president, opposition prepares list of candidates

TIRANA, July 2 – Prime Minister Sali Berisha of the governing Democratic party-led coalition was determined Monday that parliament would hold a vote this Wednesday, in the third round of presidential elections, saying they would not again allow a failure to elect a president which would move the country toward early general elections.
Berisha said that though they did not have the required three-fifths, or 84 votes of the 140-seat parliament that are needed to elect a new president, the parliament would still hold a vote on Wednesday.
Berisha’s comment was a clear sign ruling Democratic party did not want early election.
Berisha also expressed his offer to again meet with opposition Socialist Party leader Edi Rama, but added that should be a serious meeting, not just an informal get-together that would result in nothing.
Besides, Berisha mentioned that the two main political parties were not enough to elect a new president by themselves, as the presence of the smaller parties is necessary in the process.
Berisha said that the two parties had 96-97 lawmakers but many of them had different views and the entire group could note be convinced to vote for one candidate.
On the other side, leaders of the opposition’s five political parties met Monday morning to decide on a fairly long list of candidates they would present to the majority.
They stressed, however, they would not submit their list until the ruling Democrats abandoned their idea of presenting their deputy leader, Bamir Topi, as a presidential candidate.
The opposition’s list is headed by existing President Alfred Moisiu, who is strongly supported by Ilir Meta’s Socialist Movement for Integration along with many others in the opposition parties.
The list continued with former president Rexhep Meidani and then former Socialist premiers starting with Fatos Nano, Bashkim Fino, Ylli Bufi, parliament Speakers Namik Dokle, Servet Pellumbi, Kastriot Islami and also includes Neritan Ceka of the Democratic Alliance party and Paskal Milo of the social Democracy party.
But the two main parties have to meet again and agree what to do Wednesday during the voting, which, according to Berisha, is going to be held even if the opposition is not present. By proceeding with the voting on Wednesday, it will assure that early elections will not yet be called for.
The president is elected with at least 84 votes, which Berisha’s coalition does not have. To become a presidential candidate, a petition signed by 20 lawmakers must be presented to Parliament.
The first two rounds of voting were held without any candidate at all. But after the third round there should definitely be a candidate who has previously been voted down so that he or she can run in the next two rounds.
This means there should be a president by July 24, when Moisiu’s term expires, or the country goes to early elections within 60 days.