SMI calls on Socialists to end boycott

TIRANA, Nov 2 – The Socialist Movement of Integration of Ilir Meta called on the main opposition Socialist Party, once their close and big ally, to end their boycott of the parliament and give their contribution to the country’s integration process into the European Union.
The Socialists, who have 64 seats in the 140-seat parliament, have boycotted the new parliament asking that it creates an investigative commission to check a number of ballot boxes which they say were manipulated by the governing Democrats, who have won 70 seats.
The SMI have four seats but they became the determining factor for the Democrats to be capable to create the new government.
Meta joined the coalition, became Prime Minister Sali Berisha’s vice and also foreign minister. Two other posts of ministers and a considerable number of other deputies and department heads were given to the party.
Meta is formally in charge of the government efforts to give an end and achieve the visa-free regime for the country.
The new cabinet is created as one having the country’s integration into the European Union as their top priority.
Edmond Haxhinasto of the SMI said that the Socialist boycott and their protests ran counter to the national efforts to achieve the free movement of Albanians into the EU and also getting the candidate status from the bloc.
Albania has applied for candidate status, something that is yet to be considered by Brussels.