More and more voices on early polls

TIRANA, Oct. 18 – At a time when the political deadlock is hampering the country’s major reforms needed for the country’s integration into the European Union, there are more and more voices that the solution to the standstill would be holding fresh elections.
Last year the governing Democrats of Prime Minister Sali Berisha and their allies got 74 of the parliament’s 140 seats.
But the opposition Socialists of Tirana Mayor Edi Rama want a partial recount claiming vote count manipulation in a number of areas. That is opposed by the Democrats saying that would violate the laws and the Constitutions.
The opposition has boycotted the parliament, held street protests, hunger strike and recently does not take part in any voting at the parliament The dialogue with the Democrats is always stuck at the idea of partial recount.
Sabri Godo, honorary head of the rightist Republican Party, said last week that holding fresh elections could be a solution for the deadlock.
Godo said the elections could be held jointly with the local polls expected next year.
“If we remain at the situation of political uncertainty and instability, then we would better go to the polls and look for a new majority,” he said.
“If such a situation (deadlock) continues it would be hard to claim going ahead in many directions, investment, public order and so on,” he added.
He was also supported in the idea from Sabit Brokaj, until recently a senior member of the leadership of the Socialist Movement for Integration (and before of the Socialist Party).
“Early elections are the only way out. I think we are late in that. Delaying or postponing the solution of the issue is not a way out,” he said.
Fresh polls are not an issue that would be welcome by many political parties, other than the opposition.
Chairman of the Socialist Movement for Integration (SMI) and at the same time Minister of Economy, Trade and Energy, Ilir Meta said last week Albania would not organize early elections when asked on the opposition’s voices that majority was going to collapse with the message that electorate cannot be secured by wasting time, but they should find other alternatives.
“We should present alternatives, because by wasting time we can achieve neither early elections nor the support of citizens,” said Meta.
But the governing coalition is becoming more and more fragile. So it would be no surprise if premier Berisha would ask for early elections after the country got the visa liberalization in early November.