Albanian opposition to boycott all votes in parliament over alleged election fraud

By The Associated Press

TIRANA, Albania — Albania's main opposition Socialists say they will start a new parliamentary boycott to protest alleged fraud in last year's general elections.

The Socialists, who control 65 of the house's 140 seats, said Wednesday they would not attend any votes in parliament. They also threatened to resume street protests demanding a partial vote recount. Conservative Prime Minister Sali Berisha has refused the demand.

Earlier this year, the Socialists ended a six-month boycott of all parliamentary sessions and called off a three-week hunger strike by some of their lawmakers and supporters after international mediation to end the political crisis.

But no progress has been achieved.

Many key laws cannot be passed without opposition backing.