Russian newspaper “Izvestia” published the article titled: “Albania on the verge of a political split [Albaniya na grani politicheskogo raskola]” and the subtitle “In Tirana, on 13 May, will be the largest anti-government protest in history.
The situation in Albania is really alarming, while the country is facing serious social-economic problems. Poverty, high level of corruption and youth unemployment create space for political crisis . Iskanderov says that “if the DP is to continue in the way of aggravation of the situation, it is entirely possible that elections will be held without the opposition, and this will mean a new counterattack”
Here it is the full article from Izvestia:
In Albania, May 13 will be held large-scale protests against the policies of the current government. “Democratic Party” (AP) – The main opposition force – the organizer of the meetings and requires the creation of a temporary technical government, which will provide all necessary conditions for holding free and fair elections scheduled for 18 June 2017. This “News” told in the press service of the party. Sharpening of the struggle between the center-right and center-left forces puts Albania in a serious political crisis.
After the fall of the communist regime in the early 1990s to power in Albania come the two main political forces – the center-left Socialist and the center-right Democratic Party. Despite the fact that the fundamental differences in their programs do not exist, the mutual rivalry in the last months of gaining momentum.
The opposition led by the DP demanded the resignation of the current Prime Minister and Socialist leader Edi Rama. DP Chairman Lulzim Basha said earlier that opposition forces are ready to fight to the country ceased to be a victim of crime and drug traffickers.
The conflict between the Democrats and the Socialists has been going on for several months. Thus, in February 2017 the opposition began boycotting the work of parliament; on 24 April several thousand supporters of DP blocked some highways to demand the resignation of the head of government.
On June 18 is scheduled the next parliamentary elections, the results of which, according to the opposition, is already predetermined. Opposition forces refuse to take part in the forthcoming electoral process, and try to increase the pressure on the current government with the help of the protests, which will be held in the capital on 13 May.
– The opposition is demanding the creation of a technical government on a short mandate, which will provide the conditions for free and fair parliamentary elections in June 2017. We expect that in Saturday’s protest in Tirana will be attended by tens of thousands of Albania. This should be the most large-scale protests in the country – told “Izvestia”, the press service of the DP.
Expert on Albania, a researcher at the Institute of Slavic Studies Pyotr Iskenderov said “Izvestia” that DP is now really took a tough stance, as a call for a boycott of the parliamentary election – is unprecedented in the recent history of the country.
– Resignation of the government will depend critically on the position of the European Union. EU officials are trying to reach a compromise behind closed doors and to put parties to the negotiating table. They may be able to work out some mechanism to create a coalition government with the resignation of Edi Rama in exchange for Democrats to vote. However, if the DP go the way of aggravation of the situation, it is quite possible that the elections will take place without opposition, and it would mean a new round of confrontation – said the expert.
The situation in Albania is really explosive, as the country is facing serious socio-economic problems. Poverty, high levels of corruption and youth unemployment create fertile ground for the political crisis.
– subsidized economy of Albania is totally dependent on foreign loans. The main source of income is still a crime. In addition, the country – a member of NATO, and to constantly improve their defense spending. The country also has privatized everything that can give at least some income. Albania – the poorest country in Europe, and many residents do not have enough money for basic needs. And the country’s leaders care about their business and the business of those who helped them come to power, – said, “Izvestia” Serbian political scientist, head of the World Parliament of the Serbian Diaspora Dragan Stanojevic.
The resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, seems most acceptable to all parties a way to resolve the political crisis in Albania. Otherwise, the country may be in a situation where peaceful demonstrations go into a violent resistance to the police forces of the protesters and supporters of the current government.
