TIRANA – No early local power elections will be held in Albania as suggested by the opposition, according to the PM and chairman of the Socialist Party (SP) Edi Rama who had a meeting with the country’s mayors in Tirana on Wednesday.
As in Tuesday’s meeting with lawmakers, Rama told municipal leaders to continue working because there will be no early elections for the local power.
The premier said that elections can be held only in four municipalities where, as he said, there is currently no mayor. He referred to the municipalities of Vora, Shkodra, Rrogozhina and Durres. As a matter of fact the municipality of Shkodra, northern Albania, is run by the Mayor, Voltana Ademi, representing the opposition Democratic Party (DP).
“We are discussing elections only in 4 municipalities that do not have a mayor. President’s decrees are only for these early elections. The rest of local power officials will be elected in 2023,” said Rama.
Opposition has asked for the holding of general and local elections at the same time something which has remained just a slogan repeated by opposition according to their political agenda.
Further on Rama told mayors that they should pay maximum attention to respecting anti-Covid protocols in the areas they administer. He demanded that the mayors should not distract attention and contacts with the citizens.
Rama spoke of the accord on electoral reform signed with the DP and Socialist Movement for Integration saying his position was unchanged.
“We have an agreement mediated by the internationals and the extra-parliamentary opposition. We must now continue the dialogue with the opposition within Parliament. I have made public my personal position on the electoral lists, but that issue remains to be discussed,” said the PM. /argumentum. al
