Albania's Political Crises Turns Personal

Tirana | 30 November 2009 | Besar Likmeta

Sali Berisha

Prime Minister Sali Berisha and opposition leader Edi Rama hurled harsh insults at each other throughout Albania's independence holiday weekend, accusing each other of homosexuality, domestic violence, insanity and fascism.

In a sign that the political fallout of the 28 June parliamentary elections is turning increasingly sour, the country's two political top dogs exchanged a series of bitterly personal jibes.

Speaking in parliament on Thursday Berisha lashed out at Rama, in what he said was a response to months of accusations towards his family.

“Who is the man who accuses his wife of having a child with his father, who is that father that denies his child support,” Berisha said.

Berisha went on to accuse the Socialilst leader of domestic violence, homosexuality, forcing his former wife to frequent nude beaches and insanity.

“I have a lot of respect for your mother, but if I ever see her I would suggest that is her duty to tell Albanians that she cured her son for ten years for schizophrenia,” he added.

Reacting to the Prime Minister's insults the Socialist leader accused Berisha loosing his mind at a critical moment for the country's democracy. “Sali Berisha cannot cover his electoral massacre by slandering my mother and my son,” said Rama in a statement.

The insults follow months of accusations, during which Rama has accused Berisha of electoral fraud and corruption in the 28 June parliamentary elections. The Socialist party boss and Tirana mayor claims that his party never lost the election, which was stolen by the government.

His party and supporters have held a series of rallies across the country seeking a partial recount. Tens of thousands of Socialist Party supporters rallied in Tirana on 20 November and another major rally is planned for early December.

Berisha's has rejected any possibility of a recount, arguing he cannot circumvent the courts that have ruled against it.

Since the new parliament was reinstated in September, Rama and 64 elected deputies have boycotted its sessions, halting the passage of legislation that requires more than a simple majority.

The boycott has poisoned the political climate in Albania and both European and American diplomats have called for a political solution in order not to hamper the country's reform process, vital for its EU integration.

However, both Berisha and Rama have refused to bulge from their hunkered position, keeping parliamentary life in suspense.

The Socialist and the Democrats, the two main political powerhouses in Albania since the end of the Stalinist regime of former dictator Enver Hoxha in 1991, have a long history of political animosity, usually following disputed electoral processes.

Albania has yet to hold elections which fully respect internationally recognised standards- however the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe that monitored the polls said the process showed a marked progress compared with the previous polls, especially in terms of voters registration.

However, the politicization by both the parties of the ballot counting process, which was delayed for days, the use by the government of public employees and resources during the campaign and political pressure on the media by both camps, remained a serious concern to be addressed, the election monitoring body said.