BREAKING – ‘Good Night’ say European mediators with no solution at sight for Albania’s political deadlock

Tirana, Albania | Tirana Echo – Albanians hold their breath for a solution to their ongoing political crisis after two rounds of talks between European Parliament envoys and the country’s political leaders, with no agreement at sight.

After David McAllister who chairs the Foreign Affairs Committee and Knut Fleckenstein who reports to the European Parliament on Albania held a marathon of talks with majority leaders PM Edi Rama and Speaker of Parliament Ilir Meta as well as with opposition leader Lulzim Basha, there is still no solution agreed between both majority and opposition despite attempts to bring the two closer to the center ground.

Tirana Echo has learned that although chances for an agreement have improved since this morning, serious differences remain and the opposition refuses to back off its PM resignation request.

According to an undisclosed source, a draft prepared by US, EU and OSCE Ambassadors in Tirana has been presented to all negotiating parties as a compromise ground for a possible solution. Proposals include changes at the Central Elections Commission, swift amendments to the electoral code in line with OSCE-ODIHR recommendations, the criminalization of the ‘vote-buying’ phenomenon as well as other law and order provisions which would suggest changes at the State Police or Ministry of Interior.

Despite the possibility to postpone elections being discussed and agreed in principle at meetings tonight, the Democratic Party sands firm in its determination for a technical government without Edi Rama as prime minister and free and fair elections. This was also confirmed by DP chair Lulzim Basha after the last round of talks, a position which would make an agreement between majority and opposition impossible, as prime minister Edi Rama refuses to negotiate his resignation.

Meanwhile as he came out of Tirana’s Palace of Congress after a marathon of meetings this evening, the Chief of the Foreign Affairs Committee at the European Parliament and EPP Vice-President David McAllister had only two words for the journalists: “Good Night”!