TIRANA, Nov. 24 – Following weeks of discussions, Albania’s two main political groupings have agreed to work together to approve a joint law on decriminalization of politics.
The governing left-wing Socialist-led coalition of Prime Minister Edi Rama and the main opposition Democratic Party of Lulzim Basha said the law would mainly target senior officials and politicians.
The Democrats said they had not given up their request for drug tests on politicians but would not halt the law on this single issue, opting for another bill instead.
The agreement would also offer a bill that targets officials with ties to law-enforcement institutions of the former communist regime, or that have committed crimes then while in top posts. They would be forced to resign and be banned from politics.
Also the draft law says that all the lawmakers and other senior officials who have a previous criminal conviction should leave their posts.
The draft law also calls for four constitutional amendments focused on the integrity of senior officials. Such amendments would need a a three-fifth vote in parliament and demand approval of the opposition.
Consensus was reached after a serious and continuous mediation from the international community, especially by U.S. Ambassador to Tirana Donald Lu.
