Albania – Governing allies battle to forge new coalition

Tirana, Albania | Tirana Echo – As Albania’s opposition enters its 44th day of protest, the two main center-left coalition partners SP and LSI battle to forge a new governing coalition deal amid unclear messages and foggy political climate in the country.

The Socialist Party (SP) and the Socialist Movement for Integration (LSI) are expected to clarify in coming days whether the two center-left allies will continue to rule Albania for the next four years or whether they will enter coming elections as separate entities.

Moves from both parties are taking place as local media remind Albanians of the 4th anniversary of the coalition agreement signed 4 years ago in Shkodra between SP and LSI, in the presence of several European socialists who had come to seal the new deal between the former political adversaries.

Yesterday, Prime Minister and SP chair Edi Rama said that a new governing agreement would serve the country while extending a public invitation for the LSI.

For the sake of reforms and the process of state-making, it wouldn’t be good if our governing partnership was interrupted here, although we will go to elections to get every possible vote for the SP. It is up to the other side, the LSI, now to decide in coming days its own position for the next 4 years, while we are talking to other allies… Every partner should be proud and honored to be with us in this battle to build a state in Albania. Outside this path, there is no honor, no pride for any party. The honor and pride are here, on this path, under the leadership of the Socialist Party.” – said Rama at the SP general assembly gathered yesterday in Tirana.

However, the LSI has been more evasive about the continuation of the coalition with Rama’s socialists and has preferred to divert attention to other issues.

Speaking to a crowd of young militants in the town of Kucove in southern Albania, LSI chair and Speaker of Parliament Ilir Meta pointed out that elections are more important than coalition deals.

Successful elections are those that offer a standard of credibility for our citizens. The fate of Albanian youth and the European future of Albania depends on elections. The LSI has never served conflict, but has always encouraged dialogue because only through dialogue we can strengthen state institutions in the country,” said Meta.

Both Rama and Meta have spoken after a series of mutual accusations from SP and LSI exponents in recent days amplifying the message that both parties are prepared to go it alone without needing the other side.

Clashes come as the opposition democrats are protesting for over 40 days in Tirana demanding the resignation of PM Rama and the creation of a technical government which would guarantee free and fair elections.

Following an allegedly ‘deal-making’  dinner late last night between PM Rama and Speaker Meta in a fish restaurant in central Tirana, opposition leader Lulzim Basha said that “the fish restaurant should be commented by merchants. Fish stinks from its head. The government has worked to ruin our country.”

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