TIRANA, Jan 13 – The Tirana city hall could not convince either the governing Democratic party counselors of members of the Socialist Movement for Integration (SMI) to pass the 2009 budget.
The SMI counselors joined ranks with the Democrats, though they are in opposition, against the Socialists running city hall.
But it turned out to be a clear sign of the continuing fight between the Socialists led by Tirana Mayor Edi Rama and the SMI of Ilir Meta, a former close ally and friend of Rama.
It is a clear warning that the SMI is giving to their larger ally that the same could happen in the coming general elections in they claim they will be a decisive factor in the creation of the new government.
Rama and Meta have continuously said they may meet to resolve the disputes but there are no signs of any meeting in the near future.
Meta claims that without them, the Socialist-led leftist coalition will be defeated by Democrats led by Prime Minister Sali Berisha.
Tirana city hall fails to pass its budget
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