Prifti leaves Socialist Movement for Integration

TIRANA, Oct. 12 – Dritan Prifti, a senior official and lawmaker with the Socialist Movement for Integration, and former economy minister, has left the party following, what he said, were disagreements with SMI leader Ilir Meta.
SMI had removed Prifti from the ministry of economy last month following disagreements with Meta.
Meta took Prifti’s post and left his post of foreign minister to another party official, Edmond Haxhinasto.
Since then, the fight between Prifti and Meta has not subsided.
First Prifti came out to say that Meta did not want him because he had not served Meta’s personal agenda.
This time he went further and said that Meta had also sent threatening cell phone messages about Prifti’s his family.
Prifti said Meta had ousted him because he had not done Meta’s bidding on holding tenders and concessions for personal gain.
The SMI is part of the government coalition and it was decisive last year to make Prime Minister Sali Berisha capable of creating a government.
Prifti is one of SMI’s four lawmakers.
Prifti’s resignation from the party comes a day after a big convention was held by SMI as it prepares for next year’s local elections.