Opposition postpones protests

TIRANA, Oct. 20 – The opposition decided Wednesday to postpone the start of the street protests for after the decision of the European Union on the visa liberalization
The opposition, led from the Socialist party, complains of alleged vote count manipulation at last year’s parliamentary elections and has said there will be no further progress unless they clarify that process.
But their request of partial recount has found strong resistance from the governing coalition led from the Democratic Party saying that would violate the laws and the Constitution.
The opposition and the government have failed to achieve any compromise until now despite the mediation from the European institutions _ Council of Europe, European Parliament and also the office of the Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele.
The Wednesday meeting also opposed the invitation from Prime Minister Sali Berisha for a round table Friday to discuss how to improve the electoral code in time for next elections.
Albania is to hold local authorities elections in May next year.
The government’s initiative to start reforming the election system was the main topic discussed on Tuesday between Berisha and OSCE head Eugen Wollfarth.
The ambassador said the time was right, as Albanian institutions are preparing for local elections in May 2011. While the Electoral Code may be a good framework for democratic elections, the legal framework needs improvement, Wollfarth added.
But only the junior ruling coalition partner, Socialist Movement for Integration of Ilir Meta, has responded positively to the meeting on the reform effort.
The opposition Socialist Party maintains it will co-operate only after the controversial June 2009 general elections are investigated.