President of the Republic Sali Berisha at the meeting with the chairmen of the parliamentary parties The leader of the Democratic Party of Albania assesses the situation created after the referendum as a sign that the parties are returning to their previous positions President of the Republic Sali Berisha met today with the deputy chairman of the Socialist Party Sabit Brokaj, the chairman of the Social Democratic Party Skënder Gjinushi, the chairman of the Republican Party Fatmir Mediu and the deputy chairman of the PBDNJ Vasil Melo. The chairman of the Socialist Party, Servet Pëllumbi, the chairman of the PAD Sabri Godo, the chairman of the PBDNJ Vangjel Dule and the chairman of the Republican Party, Zef Bushati, had previously informed them that they were unable to attend the meeting. The meeting was held at the request of the President of the Republic to examine the situation created after the referendum on the draft constitution. In his opening remarks President Berisha began by referring to the situation created in the country after the referendum and by assessing the processes Albania is going through during the transition period as "a continuation of the political process," stressing that "within the constitution and the political procedures, action is being taken within the framework of democratic rules." He added that the voting results reflect a responsible participation of citizens in the referendum and the fact that it was held in a normal political climate. According to him, the end of the voting process does not mark the end of the processes for the new constitution, but a new stage in its handling. The President of the Republic declared that the result of the referendum does not hinder the further progress of the constitutional approval process, but places it on another procedural path, the parliamentary one. In his speech President Berisha said that despite the positive assessment of the referendum as a normal democratic process, different attitudes and interpretations have been observed after it and positions have re-emerged that point toward returning the political parties to their previous positions. He asked the parliamentary parties to define their position and to give opinions on how to move forward and how to view the solution to the constitutional problem in a broader perspective. Fatmir Mediu assessed the meeting as a necessity to seek institutional solutions and expressed his conviction that the constitutional process must continue through parliamentary means. According to him, the current commission for drafting the constitution has completed its mission, since the draft constitution voted on in the referendum received the votes of the people, but not a majority of them. He proposed that Parliament create a new constitutional commission to draft the new constitutional project. Skënder Gjinushi said that submitting the draft constitution to a referendum in the conditions of an institutional conflict between the President of the Republic and the Socialist Party, or in the absence of a tradition of inter-party consultation on such issues, was a mistake. He acknowledged that the result of the referendum must be respected, but said it cannot block the solution to the constitutional problem, proposing that the country be governed by the existing laws until a new constitution is adopted. Gjinushi insisted that a constitutional vacuum must not be created. Vasil Melo, for his part, said it would be wrong to consider the referendum result a victory for the opposition or a defeat for the majority. According to him, polemics must now be set aside and the future looked to. He stressed that the Constitution is an act of historical value and requires the broadest possible consensus. Sabit Brokaj said that developments so far had shown that the constitutional project could not be resolved without a broader political agreement. He believed that a new parliamentary commission would be a suitable way to restart the process on firmer foundations. At the end of the meeting it was agreed that the four parliamentary parties PD, PSD, PR and PBDNJ would suggest to the People's Assembly the creation of a new parliamentary commission to draft the constitutional project. (The article continues on page 2)

It is clear that the reform process has entered a new phase. It will require the adaptation of all political parties to the conditions that have been created and, naturally, the process of drafting the constitution is no exception. If the voters did not give this project a majority, this cannot be considered a vote against the constitution. On the contrary, it should be seen as an impetus to find new formulas, more acceptable for a broader political agreement. We have entered a stage in which we must overcome the mentality of winners and losers and see the process as a shared national responsibility. Every political force must contribute realistically and in a spirit of cooperation to this important debate for the future of the country.

The Central Commission for the Referendum Vote on the Draft Constitution of the Republic of Albania yesterday announced the completion of the nationwide count. In yesterday's meeting it officially announced the voting results, according to which in 37,986 ballot boxes 1,658,943 voters took part, or 84.34 percent of the total number of voters. In favor of the constitutional project voted 698,245 citizens or 41.7%, against 905,345 citizens or 54.0%; 55,353 ballots were invalid or 3.3%. Based on these results, the commission declared that the draft constitution is not approved. The chairman of the commission, Alfred Serreqi, and the members Myqerem Tafaj, Sokol Gjoka, Genc Ruli, Lazer Stani, Maksim Cikuli, Ksanthipi Kino and Vladimir Kristo signed the final counting act. Number of registered voters: 1,985,026 Number of voters: 1,658,943 For the project: 698,245 Against the project: 905,345 Invalid: 55,353

The PD press secretary Tritan Shehu declares The People's Assembly continued yesterday its work for the final session to approve the constitution article by article. Referring to this session, the PD spokesman and MP Tritan Shehu said that the vote in the referendum does not close the constitutional debate, but on the contrary brings it back onto the institutional path. He said that Albanian society needs a modern constitution that guarantees individual rights, political pluralism and the separation of powers, and that for this reason the work on drafting it will continue. According to him, the failure of the project in the referendum should not be interpreted as a rejection of the rule of law, but as a demand for improvement and reformulation. In these conditions, the political forces must show responsibility and cooperate in the interest of the country.

Tirana, The monitoring mission of the Association for Democratic Culture held a press conference yesterday regarding the smooth conduct of the referendum. In its statement the mission pointed out that in general the voting process was carried out calmly and without major incidents, although organizational shortcomings were noted in some polling stations. According to the mission representatives, the high turnout of voters demonstrated public interest in the constitutional issue, while political polarization affected the climate of the debate. They called for the experience of this referendum to serve for the improvement of electoral procedures and for citizens' confidence in democratic institutions to be strengthened. (The article continues on page 2)

The chairman of the Socialist Party stated that the referendum result should be read carefully and not be used for triumphalism by any side. According to him, the country needs political stability and an inclusive constitutional process. He stressed that the opposition is ready to contribute if certain basic principles of dialogue and equality between the parties are respected. (The article continues on page 2)

The overall direction of American foreign policy is not expected to change significantly after the election results, although changes in Congress may affect the pace of some diplomatic initiatives. Observers assess that the administration will maintain its main priorities in international relations. (The article continues on page 2)

ANNOUNCES: In accordance with yesterday's changes in the Senate, House of Representatives and Governorship of the USA... ANNOUNCES: In accordance with yesterday's changes in the Senate, House of Representatives and Governorship of the USA, from more than 250 democrats, 148 Republicans [?] senators; 435 representatives [?]; 204 Republicans [?]. Senate: Democrats: 56 Republicans: 44 House of Representatives: Democrats: 258 Republicans: 176 Governors: Democrats: 29 Republicans: 20 Democrats [?]

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