For the first time since the fall of communism, Albania will have a proper coalition government as imposed by the seats parties have gained in parliament. The Democratic Party of Premier Berisha, the party that came first out of the June 28th elections but not with an absolute majority, will share the next four years’ governance with the Socialist Movement for Integration, the leftwing party of former SP Premier Ilir Meta. The governing coalition, announced immediately after the preliminary election results, was made public yesterday.
According to the signed agreement, SMI, with the four seats in parliament that were sufficient to turn it into the king maker, will run foreign affairs, economy and energy, and health. Ilir Meta, a strong leader of the Albanian left that 8 years ago left the SP to form a new party, will hold the posts of Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister.
This is the first time that a coalition government is also substantial. In power since 2005, the DP will share its second mandate with a party of the opposite side of the spectrum, the left. And the SMI will hold important positions. Previous coalitions have been almost superfluous as in previous mandates both the DP and the SP had sufficient votes to form their own governments.
The coming government appears strong with a cabinet formed of strong personalities. Alongside Prime Minister Berisha, the dominating political figure of the past twenty years, a former successful socialist premier and likewise a strong political figure will be part of the cabinet too. Other SMI posts in the cabinet will be held by the party’s highest leaders, and the same is expected of the DP for its posts. A government composition of this kind promises quality of governance, but a cabinet composed of strong personalities does not necessarily produce a strong and stable government. Nevertheless, Berisha and Meta, representatives of opposite sides of the political spectrum are doomed to govern together and survive in government. Any clash or disagreement between them would automatically lead to early elections. This prospect, and in light of the weak victories of June 28th, seems to have encouraged premier Berisha and the SMI leader to put together a long-term alliance, beyond this governing coalition, perhaps to the next local elections and even further.
On the other hand, the strong and long-term government that the DP and SMI seem to be forming could be weakened by the opposition’s stance. First, dived in internal disagreements, the socialist opposition has warned of parliamentary boycott, which apart from signing the SP’s own suicide, would also mark steps back for Albania.
Secondly, even if boycott is avoided, the DP-SMI government will have a difficult time ensuring opposition support for a series of laws and reforms that cannot be passed without.
Apart from boycott of parliament, the return of conflict between the governing coalition and the opposition would also be a negative development of grave consequences. Failure to reach consensus would harm vital national interests related to the economy and EU integration aspirations.
