A step forward in the development of democracy
Yesterday’s roundtable
A step forward in the development of democracy
The composition of the Permanent Electoral Commission is not dependent on the results of previous elections
Godo: “The parties’ roundtable must begin as soon as possible.”
It was more than clear that the roundtable convened by the President of the Republic would be successful, despite the fact that some parties, including the Socialist Party, thought it best not to take part.
Judging by the way yesterday’s roundtable proceeded, those who lost the most were the parties that boycotted it. Thus, first and foremost, the Socialists ... [The composition] being tied to the results of previous elections would favor the large parties and, as a consequence of the privileges ... from the other political forces, [the gap?] would grow even wider. We would thus very quickly arrive at a monopolization of the political scene by two or even a single political force, which is undoubtedly a step backward. The President also showed himself willing not to interfere too much in matters concerning the elections, leaving the initiative entirely in the hands of the parties, which must discuss and decide what should be done next. Preparations for the elections and the increased role of the parties, which must ... should be considered something new compared with preparations for the 26 May elections, when everything was dictated by the DP or the President, make it imperative that the parties’ roundtable begin its work, as recommended in the first instance by the Council of Europe. The way our parties behave at their own roundtable will be a significant indicator for Europe, showing which Albanian political force is on the right track and, above all, allowing predictions to be made about the future of democracy in Albania. A.D.
first and foremost, the Socialists lost the privilege of being participants in the victory achieved yesterday, a victory connected primarily with the way the commission was composed—the very reason the roundtable was organized.
Yesterday’s roundtable was characterized by an atmosphere in which everyone discussed matters on an equal footing, from the DP to parties that had been unable to gain representation in parliament. This was more than clear, since President Berisha, recently accused by the West, would have been predisposed to make concessions in order to repair his image. As had been announced, the topic discussed by the representatives of the political forces present and President Berisha was the Permanent Electoral Commission, which will be decreed by the President. Since all participants discussed matters on an equal footing, many ideas were put forward, creating wide scope for selection.
Although it was not given much publicity, the fact that the talks agreed that the commission’s composition should not be influenced by the percentages won in the elections, [text corrupt: “potekishten ndarjet të barabarta”]