TIRANA, July 2 – Albanian President Ilir Meta appeared today in front of the public, speaking with harsh tones towards Socialist Prime Minister Edi Rama and the Western embassies that he says support him.
While accusing the June 30 elections were manipulated, he openly opposed their recognition, while reiterating that he had decreed October 13 as the new local elections date. According to Meta, a trap and a conspiracy aimed at a civil clash was avoided on June 30.
“It’s shameful and scandalous, they did not even get ten percent, let them fill the boxes all day with the socialist organization in the CEC, with the Socialist College. This only shows what justice reform they are doing, from reform it has turned to Ramaform. These are embarrassing and scandalous things that can not happen in a state of law that will join the EU,” said President Ilir Meta, commenting on the elections two days ago.
For him, the only legal date for local government elections remains the one he last decreed, October 13, after he canceled the initial date on June 30th.
“The elections will take place on October 13th. The presidential decree can only be argued against by the Constitutional Court. So all this nonsense, the CEC, the Socialist Assembly’s resolution with the new opposition of the New Ring scandal, and the Socialist College, there is no one who can put this into question, we have to be completely clear. And all those who have transgressed the law will be held responsible,” Meta said.
Meta seemed unaccepting of the fact that the international community did not recognize his decree canceling July 30 as the new elections date.
“They don’t care about the precedent, they care about the experiments they want to conduct with Albania,” he said.
He came out on Tuesday with a new proposal to hold both the local and general elections on October 13, as well as elections for a new president.
“I will run as president under these competences and Edi Rama and the Socialist parliament, which does not want me, can put whoever candidate they wish. This is the way to solve this horrible crisis of representation so that July 2 doesn’t happen again,” he said.
He did not offer any explanation as to how to proceed with his proposal, when at least the presidential elections would require constitutional amendments, but rather said that he was making his proposal and that he was willing to listen to other proposals as well.
“If there is any embassy proposal that talks about dialogue, but actually urges violence in Albania, make it. Let’s hear it. I will accept no proposal which violates the principles of the rule of law. I ask Mr. Rama to be serious and responsible. I also invite foreign representatives not to become ridiculous, because we are a NATO member country, it’s been ten years, don’t mock our constitution,” Meta said.
The US Embassy seemed to be at the centre of Meta’s criticism, as well as the European Union’s Delegation to Albania. In this regard, Meta said Rama is not the only one to blame regarding the crisis, but also “those who promote this conflict and the installation of virtually a junto that has eliminated any praise of the rule of law, which seeks to destroy all institutions and get Albania out of its EU integration path.”
Saying he won’t allow the country to turn into a “money laundering colony,” “an organized crime operational base,” “or a problematic Balkan country” he will be opposing everyone as both President and as citizen Ilir Meta.
He appeared to be addressing the international community once more when he said that “it is advisable not to test my stubbornness when it comes to protecting my country’s best interest. It is wise. Because I am not alone, there are many Albanians who will do anything to protect their dignity and democracy. Albania won’t take the road to North Korea, it was on that road for 40 years.”
In addition to criticizing the international community, Meta also had a message for multimillionaire George Soros, who, as he implied, was behind “a trap and conspiracy that had long been fed at any cost and price for the civil clash on June 30.”
Meta has accused Soros previously of influencing the justice reform, for whose implementation he spoke again with strong critical tones.
