TIRANA – The Chairman of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee David McAllister (EPP) said via Facebook on Wednesday that it was time for Albanian leaders to overcome the political impasse that seriously threatens parliamentary elections scheduled for June 18, ATA reports.In a statement a day after he and European Parliament’s Rapporteur Knut Fleckenstein sought to mediate between Albania’s political groupings to end the political deadlock, McAllister acknowledged that parties had failed to reach consensus on main issues, including the election date and potential formation of a technical cabinet.
According to him, parties should work together to overcome the political impasse because country faces a serious crisis that threatens parliamentary elections.
“Albania faces a serious political crisis that threatens elections scheduled for June 18. Yesterday in Tirana I mediated between the government and the opposition. Talks saw progress in several areas but no consensus was reached on main issues such as the election date and possible formation of a transitional technical government. It is time to overcome political impasse,” European lawmaker said in a statement on his Facebook page.
European parliamentarians, David McAllister (EPP) and Standing Rapporteur on Albania Knut Fleckenstein (S&D) visited Tirana a day ago in a last effort to defuse political deadlock in the country, following the centre-right opposition’s boycott of parliament and June 18 parliamentary election.
During their meetings with both government and opposition leaders, the two MEPs presented proposals for the way forward that included points on decriminalization, the fight against narcotics, technical measures for improving the conduct of elections, and the political confidence building measures.
They also proposed ideas for discussion on the date of elections and possible pre-electoral changes to government structures to build long term confidence in the system. For the majority side there was agreement on the points provided as long as vetting would be voted in parliament. The Democratic Party held to its position that a technical Prime Minister be appointed, and that an electronic voting system be adopted for the sake of free and fair elections.