World warns Albanian politics again

TIRANA, March 13 – Following elections for the parliamentary seat in Shijak United States of America, European Union, and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe again sent a clear warning to Albanian politics to get rid of their usual practices and start immediately the electoral reform. They issued a joint statement noting “with regret the troubled and tense atmosphere in which the March 11 by-election in Shijak was held. The right of citizens to vote freely is an essential element in democracies, and it is the responsibility of all political forces in a democracy to defend and support this right.
We reiterate that boycotting and obstructing the conduct of legally mandated elections is inconsistent with Euro Atlantic democratic values. Concerns regarding irregularities in the preparation of elections and differences over procedures should be addressed to the CEC in accordance with Albanian law. We call on the government and all political parties to begin work now on electoral reform which is so urgently needed.”