President angers election winners

TIRANA, July 9 – President Bujar Nishani has rushed decisions at a time of transition between two government, angering the election winners.
The Democratic Party of Prime Minister Sali Berisha unilaterally elected Nishani last year, and it has now conceded defeat in the June 23 national polls that have been won by the Socialist Party-led coalition of Edi Rama.
As head of state, Nishani is the top armed forces commander and also heads the High Council of Justice, which is the top governing body for the judicial system.
Socialists have expressed anger at the removal of some army generals and the nomination of others.
They have also been highly concerned on the promotion of six new judges at the Appeals Court, a decision they considered as very problematic and controversial in the last years due to their political affiliation with the governing Democrats.
These judges have overseen high-profile trials and are perceived to have been under the direct influence of the Democratic Party of outgoing Prime Minister Sali Berisha.
The Socialists, who are expected to take the governing in their hands in September, say that the latest promotions not only raise serious questions about the president’s respect for the rule of law but also about his independence from his former Democratic Party boss Berisha. Rama himself made a visit to the president’s office this week. Later he said he had told Nishani he should not turn into a “notary public” for Berisha but be above the political parties as a “constitutional guarantor.”
That will not be that easy. Nishani served as interior minister and justice minister under Berisha’s cabinet from 2005 until 2012 when he was elected as president after failed attempts of political compromise.
Rama has gone as far as saying he will not keep Nishani’s photo in the public offices but put those of Ismail Qemali, the man who declared the country’s independence in 1912.
The Socialists have said they are keeping a close eye on such moves and have also hinted legal amendments to improve the system.
The justice system has always been the post-communist country’s Achilles’ heel. Corruption and lack of transparency and professionalism have always been mentioned as main topics of concern in international reports.
The Socialists are also openly saying they do not like such moves that seem in line with or trying to extend Berisha’s hold on power which he lost at the elections.
Nishani has reacted saying that the court appointments were made on personal merit and credits.