Presidential race warms up

TIRANA, May 9 – Despite words from Prime Minister Sali Berisha, also leader of the governing Democratic Party, that the election time for the president has yet to come, turning down alleged start of negotiations on a consensual candidate, the presidential race seems to have already started its formal campaign.
Last week Albanians heard that it is not only formerSocialistleader FatosNanothinking over to take the highest post, but they also learnt other names informally proposed by different political groupings or civic organizations like Jozefina Topalli, Neritan Ceka, or Hajredin Fratari.
This week such a ‘campaign’ was dominated by the meeting between main opposition Socialist party leader Edi Rama and the Socialist Movement for Integration Party head Ilir Meta. For sure, that was interesting not only because they were supposed to talk on finding a possible consensual candidate (Meta is in the governing coalition), but also due to the fact that it was more than three years that once close allies and friends were in a state of freezing ties.
Rama and meta broke personal relations since before the 2009parliamentaryelections when they couldnotreach an agreement on what place would Meta’s party would have in a possible governing coalitionofthat time. Following that Meta joined ranks withDemocrats’ Berisha.
But the recent meeting speaks a lot. It shows that time has come that political leaders should sit down and negotiate on fundamental issues for the country. That was also reflected in the words mentioned after the meeting from the two politicians. Both Rama and Meta said that it is importantto talk on a possible consensus on the president because that process would be a good start or basis for the country along its efforts to integrate, or get the candidate status of the European Union later this year.
True is that. But it is also true the fact that their meetings may have madeBerishashiver telling him that he may not be capable of electing the new president on its own. Without Meta’s three votes Berisha hasnotthe numbers, or 71 seats in the 140-seat parliament tochoosea new president among his ranks, as he has said.
So it wouldnotbe a surprise move from Meta to make a double play thatis give votes to a consensual president, or one also supported by the Socialist opposition, but at the same time continue to stay in coalition with Berisha. Meta made it clear after meeting with Rama that he is to stick to the pledge of coalition withBerishaeven for next year’s parliamentary elections.
Meanwhile Fatos Nano continues his regular meetings with all leaders of the parliamentary parties, this time with the Republicans’ Fatmir Mediu. Nano also said he is looking forward to the next meeting, soon, withPrime Minister Sali Berishawhich he considered as the most important one due to theimportancethat his political party has in the parliament. No date has been set for that though rumors speak of one this week.
But Albanians are also expecting another important meeting for that issue, that between Edi Rama and Sali Berisha. Rama has made it clear that he is open to meeting with any personality ofimportancein that issue so that the process goes smoothly and in a democratic way.
Berisha too has not denied he is to meet with Rama, though he insisted that time has not yet come for talks on the new president, according to the constitution. It is very likely, according to the some rumors, that their meeting which is not still set, may take place in the Council of Ministers premises in order to avoid the hall of hotels or luxurious restaurants of the capital.
In his cabinet meeting Wednesday Berisha also ironized everybody, including the journalists who are so much involved in apresidential race so early.
Albania’s president is elected in the 140-seat parliament with three-fifth of the votes in the first three rounds or a simple majority in the next two rounds.
The voting is expected this June or July.