Albania’s Political Crisis Extends into 2011

The ruling Democrats in Albania have rejected the latest proposal to break the political deadlock which has plunged the country into crisis since the 2009 parliamentary elections.

Prime Minister Sali Berisha' Democratic party have voted down an opposition plan to create an investigative parliamentary commission into alleged irregularities in the disputed elections.

“Berisha yesterday made the political crisis deeper,” said opposition leader Edi Rama in a press conference on Tuesday. “In the session we saw how parliament has been taken hostage and how the opposition was offended,” he added.

According to Rama, the premier lacks the political will to solve the crisis that has dragged on since the end of the 2009 elections and has poisoned the political climate.

“We are in a dramatic and dangerous situation,” concluded the Socialist leader.

Monday’s extraordinary session was a last-ditch attempt to solve the standoff between the parties in 2010 and had been proceeded by a series of failed talks to find a compromise.

Opposition Socialists continue to demand an investigative commission into last year's general election with unrestricted power to probe polling materials.

The ruling Democrats insist that it would be illegal to order a probe based on doubts alone. The Democrats would support an investigation into election fraud if the opposition produced proof of irregularities.