Albania: No political compromise in sight

The opposition Socialist Party has raised concerns on the lack of will by the governing Democratic Party on resolving the allegations of vote manipulation in last year’s parliamentary elections.

The opposition Socialist Party has raised concerns on the lack of will by the governing Democratic Party on resolving the allegations of vote manipulation in last year’s parliamentary elections.

Socialist leader Edi Rama is on a tour around the country, meeting with his supporters and trying to secure their support to resume street protests.

At the same time Gramoz Ruci, leader of the Socialist parliamentary group and a deputy party leader, said that local elections next May cannot be held unless the previous polls became transparent.

To hold the May 8, 2011 local elections on time and on a regular manner, the Socialist participation is needed in the electoral reform.

The Socialists have boycotted most votes in parliament since they returned to the legislature. They also said there will be no more negotiations with the Democrats to resolve the dispute.