TIRANA TIMES
TIRANA, Dec. 20 – The Socialist Movement for Integration announced plans on Sunday to run in the May 2011 local elections together with the governing Democratic Party.
Foreign Minister Edmond Haxhinasto, a top leader of that party, mentioned the local elections coalition at a party meeting in Elbasan. “These elections are very important preparation for the next general elections [in 2013],” Haxhinasto said.
He said that they expected good results during the local vote.
They joined the Democratic Party in the government in mid-2009 after a third place showing in general elections behind the main opposition Socialist Party.
Sali Berisha’s Democratic Party was re-elected last year and together with its allies, it controlled 74 of parliament’s 140 seats. The opposition Socialists and their allies had 66. Since then those figures have only changed by 1 post in favor of the Democrats.
Berisha named Socialist Movement for Integration party leader Ilir Meta as his deputy and two other LSI leaders as cabinet members.
