Small political parties shout aloud

TIRANA, April 23 – Recent constitutional amendments have been strongly opposed by Albania’s smaller political parties.
The Socialist Movement for Integration of former Prime Minister Ilir Meta has said it believes a behind-the-scenes deal between the two main political forces of the governing Democratic Party’s Prime Minister Sali Berisha and the main opposition Socialist Party of Tirana Mayor Edi Rama, will eliminate the presence of smaller parties in the next parliament.
The just-passed constitutional amendments changed the electoral system to a regional proportional system, which gives more seats to the two larger parties.
Meta considered these changes to be a constitutional putsch, which he said would receive, in return, the deserved response.
He hinted that meant possible street protests or opening a case at the Constitutional Court, which would normally delay the enforcement of the new amendments.
Consequences were noted in other areas as well.
Petro Koci formally abandoned the Socialist Party and will likely join Meta’s party following parliamentary voting to protest against the electoral changes.
Opposition was noted even among the governing coalition, though the smaller parties were convinced by Berisha to vote in favor of electoral reforms. Pashk Ujka, a lawmaker from the Christian Democrats, was removed from the post of heading the parliamentary group and he reacted by saying that he lost his position because his leader, health Minister Nard Ndoka, had not approved of his opposition to the amendments.
At the same time, there were repeated calls for a government reshuffle. Sabri Godo, president of the Republican Party, said it was time for the premier to reconsider participation in his cabinet.
It was Republican leader Fatmir Mediu who resigned from the post of Defense Minister earlier this month after the blast at the disposal ammunition factory in Gerdec.
Republicans have not yet asked for a similar ranking post, saying they were awaiting results from the investigation of the blast. (Tirana Times Staff)