TIRANA – It has come as no surprise that Parliament adopted on Thursday the controversial electoral changes to Albania’s Constitution in order to allow open lists for candidates running in the upcoming general elections and a new formula for coalitions. The amendments framed by the ruling Socialist Party (SP) were voted despite strong objections by the Democratic Party (DP)-led United Opposition and some diplomats who had advised consensus.
“106 votes pro, 10 against, 6 abstentions,” said Speaker Gramoz Ruci at the end of the voting process in the plenary session announcing that Parliament will resume its deliberations on September 7, 2020.
The approved constitutional changes pave the way for the partial opening of the electoral lists and a new formula for coalitions that will have to emerge in the 2021 elections with a unique list of candidates for MPs.
The Political Council failed to strike a deal on Wednesday night after a 5-hour meeting as SP members of the Council turned down the UO’s proposal for full opening of lists without changing the scheme of coalitions and distribution of mandates. /argumentum.al