Monday, May 3, 2010

Election row spills into Albania's streets

Tirana rallies by opposition Socialists (left) and Democratic Party, 30 Apr 10
Albania is gripped by a stand-off between the opposition Socialists (left) and Democratic Party

Thousands of opposition Socialist activists have rallied in the Albanian capital Tirana, demanding transparency in last year's general election.

The political turmoil is threatening Albania's bid to join the European Union, as the BBC's Mark Lowen reports.

Arben Ahmetaj perches on his temporary bed. With a collapsible base and thin mattress, it stands next to some 200 others, affording him little privacy. His only nourishment is bottled water; his entertainment a backgammon set.

Arben Ahmetaj
Arben Ahmetaj is among the protesters camping in central Tirana

It is not quite the usual level of comfort enjoyed by this Socialist Party MP but, he admits, these are "drastic times".

He is one of those now on hunger strike in the centre of Tirana, camped out directly beneath the office window of Albania's Prime Minister, Sali Berisha.

The Socialist-led opposition are protesting at what they say was a stolen general election last June, when the governing Democrats, led by Mr Berisha, were returned to office with a slim majority.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8658279.stm

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