The conservative prime minister who dominated post-communist politics in Albania has conceded election defeat, taking personal responsibility for the heavy loss to the rival Socialists after losing the support of fed-up voters. Sali Berisha, who had been seeking a third straight term as prime minister in Sunday’s general election, also announced to party supporters late on Wednesday he would step down as leader of his center-right Democratic Party. The 68-year-old’s party was beaten handily. With nearly all of the votes counted, Socialist Edi Rama was ahead with 53 percent, compared to just 36 percent for the Democrats.
“We have lost these elections. Believe me, the responsibility for this falls on one person – on me, Sali Berisha,” he said.
Albania, once one of the world’s most reclusive countries during its communist years, became a NATO member in 2009 and has applied for European Union candidate status.
But so far that has been denied over criticism it has not done enough to fight corruption and push through democratic reforms.
Full Article: Albanian prime minister concedes poll defeat – Europe – Al Jazeera English.
