The trio appeals for calm

TIRANA, June 5 – In a joint statement the Head of the OSCE Presence in Albania Ambassador Eugen Wollfarth, U.S. Ambassador Alexander Arvizu and Head of the European Union Delegation Ambassador Ettore Sequi made another appeal for calm.
“We noted the decision by the Albanian Electoral College as the highest legal body adjudicating election appeals. It is essential that all sides act after this decision in a calm, mature and restrained manner, putting the national interest ahead of any partisan self interest. It is equally important that all sides, political parties and citizens, wait until the final results of these elections are certified by the Central Election Commission as required under Albanian law. We believe that on May 8, the people of Albania voted for their choice of candidates. It is this voice that must now be heard and respected by all political parties. We will be closely following the completion of the electoral process and the publication of the final results as well as the assessment of the process by the OSCE/ODIHR elections’ observation mission taking into account the concerns raised in our previous statements.
Last night was a night that added to the darkness that has covered Albania’s justice system and deepened the crisis of democracy in Albania by showing us the painful proof of the certification of the illegal activity of the Central Elections Commission aimed at stealing the victory of the opposition in Tirana.”
But the opposition Sociaslits insist that the international community interfere and resolve the post-eletoral crisis, even threatening the situation could reach alarming levels.
The opposition is boycotting the parliament and has threatened protests of different forms against what they call “electoral cannibalism.”
After a peaceful and quiet election day, the controversy over the miscast ballots has heightened the political climate once again, adding to Brussels’ doubts over the country’s EU future.