TIRANA, Aug. 17 – The opposition Democratic Party has said it would be ready to approve constitutional amendments if they are needed to implement a proposed justice system reform.
The statement marks a change in policy and can help the bipartisan work go forward, experts said.
Cooperation between the opposition and the Socialist-led coalition has been difficult. The Democrats at first did not agree to take part at the special parliamentary commission created last year. Then at the end of the year, following direct pressure from the international community, they agreed to take part, but left again soon after.
The Democrats also say they will introduce their own justice reform package, after refusing to work with a group of experts created by the left-wing majority to propose legislative changes.
The Socialists say their drafts have also been consulted with experts from the European Union and the United States.
President Bujar Nishani, who was elected by the Democrats three years ago when they were in power, said the group of experts nominated from the left-wing coalition was politically motivated.
Nishani made the comments in a television interview, drawing the ire of the Socialists, who said he only served the interests of the opposition Democrats and was not being helpful in the major reform the country needs in its efforts to integrate with the European Union.
President Nishani, a former Democratic Party high official, has been in open conflict for two years with the Socialist-led government.
