Opposition Socialists to hold congress; competing agendas may create controversy

TIRANA, June 1 – The opposition Socialist Party will hold a Saturday congress that is to decide on new changes in their party laws and also elect new leadership of the party.
The congress will very likely be a place where different factions of the party will compete against each other to get more powers.
Chairman Edi Rama was elected as the new party leader early last month, but he has yet to reduce tensions among his opponents within the party.
Among contenders, or opponents, he will have to contend with his predecessor Fatos Nano. But Nano may likely stay in the shadows at this congress, since he is seeking the country’s presidency.
If the party’s new leadership will not support him, it will be very likely that his supporters, making up about a dozen lawmakers, may spark an internal fight that could weaken the party.
The Socialists are made up of followers of the former communist party created 16 years ago by Nano, though they say there is no link or resemblance with the former communists.
Socialists were in power from 1997 until 2005 when they lost in general elections that elevated the former president and leader of the Democratic Party back to power, this time as a premier.
Socialists have not made it clear whom they support as the next president, sometimes hinting, still unofficially, to back current president Alfred Moisiu.
Also, among the Socialists, there have always been differences on whether they should press for early elections or not.
Recent developments may likely be an effort by Rama to strengthen his position among the party’s leadership ranks.
Nano said Thursday that if he failed to get the president’s post he would very likely seek the party’s leadership position.