Winning Berisha plays political game with the opposition

TIRANA, July 27 – Prime Minister Sali Berisha on Monday evening made an open call to the opposition to accept the loss of the June 28 parliamentary elections and also cooperate for the country’s integration efforts.
Speaking at a news conference Berisha expressed his deep gratitude to all Albanian citizens, the members and activists of the Democratic Party and of all the other political forces of the “Alliance for Chance” coalition that brought about this victory.
“This is extremely important for Albania like Europe project, the most wonderful project this country has ever implemented throughout its history,” he said.
The Central Elections Commission declared that Berisha’s Democrats won 68 seats, also supported with one from the Republican Party and another from the Democracy and Integration Party.
Opposition Socialists of Tirana Mayor Edi Rama got 65 seats, plus another from the Human Rights Union Party.
The smaller leftist SMI Party won four seats.
The premier said he was committed to implement the program declared during the electoral campaign.
I reiterate that no one is the loser of these elections and this is no rhetoric, but I say with the deepest conviction that the project of Albania like Europe is the best for every Albanian, said Berisha.
“I invite the opposition to come out of syndrome of the natural sadness of loss at elections and build the bridges of cooperation to the best interest of political pluralism and the country.
I stand for the spirit of compromise and cooperation so that to proceed with the deep reforms and to the best interest of the citizens. I positively assess its contribution.
The coming four years are of historic importance for Albania during which the country gets prepared for the final verdict and all the processes progress at great speed.”
Berisha pledged that his government would continue to work to improve the country’s infrastructure and also to address all the problems of the rural and poor zones of the country such as the supply with potable water.
Berisha also ironically said that he would win over Rama in every election if they were held every year. (Tirana Times Staff)