TIRANA, Nov. 3 – Albania’s President Ilir Meta said on Friday he still hasn’t decided whether to decree General Sander Lleshi as the country’s next minister of interior as per Prime Minister Edi Rama’s proposal, although the deadline for his decision is fast approaching.
Meta said during a local TV show he’d find a way to announce his decision at the right time and that he wouldn’t be pressured by individuals or by the deadline, while making clear what his reasons are behind the prolonged decision process.
“The president has a duty to exercise all his constitutional responsibilities to gain full conviction concerning any proposal given to him to decree. The president can not put his signature on any formal declarations because that would be irresponsible. Even more for such a task, which at the present moment requires even more responsibility and attention” Meta said.
The Albanian constitution gives the president a seven-day window to appoint a new minister – Saturday is the last day of this deadline.
Meta, during his interview, even took as an example the case of the Italian president who, a few months back, vetoed the decree of one of the ministers of the newly-elected government. According to Meta, in the case of Italy, the president had deemed the proposed minister did not properly represent Italian and European values, thus signaling the possibility of also vetoing Lleshi as the future minister of interior.
“The constitution is very clear: the president is responsible for any assigned signature. Otherwise, the president would not have this opportunity and this instrument to confirm, verify, control, and guarantee the integrity of each ministry. Therefore, I want to say that every president has the duty, with his actions, or his inaction, to take the proper public responsibility and to show maximum accountability. So, in this sense, no one should have any doubt that I will exercise my competencies, especially in this situation, maximally and courageously ” Meta said.
On the other hand, local media has pointed out the constitution does not literally state, in any place, cases of not decreeing a proposal for the appointment of members at the governmental cabinet. Last year, former President Bujar Nishani who publicly spoke against appointing current Minister of Interior Fatmir Xhafaj, nonetheless accepted he did not have the competence to veto the proposal.
Concerning Xhafaj, who is still minister of interior until a successor is appointed, Meta said he showcased will to move forward in the fight against organized crime, despite difficulties and complicated circumstances.
