Peace or ceasefire?

TIRANA, Aug. 30 – The governing Democratic Party of Prime Minister Sali Berisha and the main opposition Socialist Party of the Tirana Mayor Edi Rama reached Wednesday evening a deal on the electoral reform under the auspices of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the European Commission in Tirana. Based on the deal the two main parties agreed to make constitutional changes on the makeup of the Central Electoral Commission and to extend the mandate of the local authorities from three to four years. After a group of experts prepares the draft laws they will be passed to the parliament, then decreed by the president and probably also approved in a national referendum. That would be the first amendment since the Constitution was approved Nov. 28, 1998. Following the end of vacations from the OSCE’s head Pavel Vacek there started intensive consultation with the two main political parties that concluded with the 12-point deal Wednesday evening. It was signed at Rogner Hotel Europapark from three members of each party.
The OSCE Presence in Albania today welcomed agreement between Albanian ruling and opposition parties on electoral and media issues and noted that the move was a positive reflection of the parties’ shared responsibility for Albania’s reforms and future. “I believe the agreement opens the way for a constructive relationship between the majority and the opposition and towards their co-operation in pursuing the key domestic reforms,” said Vacek.
The CEC will be increased with two new members, one from the majority and one from the opposition. Other changes included the use of the permanent register of the voters and the much-disputed temporary voters’ list would not be used. The make up of the National Council of Radio Television would also increase with two new members.
It may be said that all the changes were according to the request of the opposition that had threatened to boycott the upcoming local government elections, or even start mass protests, that may be held sometime between Nov. 20 to Jan. 20, not a good enough period to hold them due to heavy winter in many areas in the country. Following the last political deal it would not be a surprise if the timing of the polls could be postponed sometime in spring.
What is important to note, however, is the fact that similar to many other times during the post-communist period after 1990 it was the international factor played by the OSCE and the EU officials in the country, that served as mediators to appease the two ever-squabbling Albanian political sides. Following intensive and secret talks under the auspices of the two international institutions started in the last two weeks, the two main parties shook hands. They had agreed not to disclose any detail of the talks or they would lose the credibility, trust at the international factor. That has been the case many other times and that adds to the lack of trust that common Albanians have in their politicians. Again this time politicians proved they are not capable to accept each other, a bad example to the common people.
The two leaders hailed the deal considering it a good result of the dialogue and compromise. “I hail it as a product of the culture of dialogue, compromise which is a great achievement for the whole country as dialogue and compromise are powerful tools for the consolidation of democracy,” said Berisha. “Three conditions of the opposition were fulfilled, thus bringing the parliamentary and political life back to normal,“ said Rama, who also thanked the mediation from the international institutions. “But no doubt numerous other problems of the new Albania democracy are to be resolved,” he added. Rama also said that all Socialist officials in the local authorities countrywide were advised to closely cooperate with the government authorities to prepare ‘trustful lists that guarantee the standard of equality in voting.’
President Alfred Moisiu also welcomed the agreement and reminded the political groupings to respect what they signed. “Though delayed the deal creates the possibility to the political parties that they commit themselves with the same devotion and energy to cooperate and resolve great problems of our citizens and the country. The president encourages the political parties to respect the agreement and through strengthening the climate of reciprocal trust to contribute for a free and fair electoral process and for an institutional and democratic political life,” said a statement.
The OSCE also said that it expected “a full and expedient implementation of the agreement. In particular, it hopes for a speedy resumption of electoral reform work and constructive and orderly preparations of the next municipal elections in line with recommendations by the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe and the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights. Ambassador Vacek reiterated that the OSCE Presence was ready to further assist the Albanian authorities and political representation in pursuing the objectives of the agreement and beyond, according to the statement.
Following the deal experts will work intensively for all the above-mentioned aspects and the parliament is expected to start normally next Monday. It is also expected that the constitutional amendments are passed easily from at lest three-fifth of the 140-seat parliament. A question would immediately come out after this deal: is it peace, or just a ceasefire?!