Tens of thousands of opposition supporters thronged the main square of the Albanian capital Friday, vowing to stay there until the government allows a partial recount of June election ballots following allegations of vote-rigging.Prime Minister Sali Berisha's conservatives narrowly won the June 28 general elections, but the opposition Socialists have been boycotting parliament for months, demanding the recount of ballots in several districts. The government has called that demand illegal.
Berisha's Democrats and allies control 75 of parliament's 140 seats.
Socialist Party spokeswoman Armela Imeraj said the rally, which also protested economic hardship blamed on the government, would continue for days.
"The rally is a non-stop one until the government decides to reform or to recount the election votes," she said.
The international community has pressed new NATO-member Albania to resolve the deadlock, which could hamper its efforts to joint the European Union.
"Does Berisha see this? We are many. We just want a fair electoral game," said protester Ilir Tiko, one of the protesters in Tirana's vast Skenderbeg Square.
Another demonstrator, Sanie Behari, said she came out onto the streets to protest poverty.
"Do they understand we can't live with such high prices?" she said of the government. "Sure, they can with their salaries. We just want a better life."
No comments:
Post a Comment