Albania Political Talks Fail to Produce Concrete Agreement – Dim hope until midnight

Tirana, Albania | Tirana Echo – Three hours of political talks between Albanian PM Edi Rama and Opposition leader Lulzim Basha have failed to produce any real agreement with the country risking to go to elections without the opposition block.

As PM Rama and DP chair Basha met this morning at the Presidential Palace after an official invitation by Albania’s President Bujar Nishani, hope were high the two would reach an agreement which would bring Basha’s democratic party back to the electoral process.

Last night, TiranaEcho.com reported that PM Rama would allegedly be prepared to let 6 of his ministers go while his socialist party would agree to postponing general elections scheduled for June 18. On the other side, the democrats would agree to ministerial replacements while they will let go their request for the resignation of Rama from his premiership.

This would be seen to be in line with what European Parliament mediators David McAllister and Knut Fleckenstein had proposed to both sides during last week’s failed political talks.

Confidential sources have told Tirana Echo that even after three intensive hours of negotiations this morning, there is still no agreement at sight.

Although neither side has spoken officially for the media, it is being reported that Rama’s offer to withdraw some of his ministers has not been accepted by Basha, who requests the prime minister’s resignation before they can enter elections.

It is yet unclear whether both sides would meet again during the day and agree to end Albania’s political deadlock. However, by midnight all electoral deadlines for registration would be totally exhausted, as the Central Elections Commission had granted a 3 day grace period.