Albania’s political leaders on Thursday failed for the second time to reach a compromise as the opposition has boycotted the parliament and the June 18 parliamentary election. Following intensive meetings with Western diplomats, Prime Minister Edi Rama, leader of the Socialist Party, and Lulzim Basha of the main opposition Democratic Party met again Thursday night. Rama said the government offered direct monitoring of the voting with a task force of opposition representatives accompanied by monitors from the European Union, the United States and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
“That’s our position. There is not much time left,” said Rama after the meeting. “We do not have another offer.”
Basha turned down the offer, accusing Rama and his Cabinet of direct links to crime and drug trafficking and using that money to buy ballots.
The opposition has boycotted parliament since February, demanding that Rama resign before the June 18 election out of fear that his Cabinet will manipulate the vote.
Full Article: Albanian leaders fail to back compromise for June 18 vote | World | lancasteronline.com.
