The political class is preparing to change the rules of the game for the elections, while internationals demand that the process be inclusive and with concrete results. The EU Ambassador to Tirana, Silvio Gonzato, called on the bipartisan commission that starts work on Tuesday to be guided by the recommendations of the OSCE/ODIHR and the Venice Commission.
"The need for a reform and comprehensive electoral system, which we have long called for, is underlined in the latest OSCE/ODIHR report, which highlights significant shortcomings in the electoral process, misuse of state resources, lack of a level playing field, the importance of the independence of institutions and the supervision of campaigns for equal conditions among political actors. These reforms are fundamental steps in Albania's journey towards the EU," Gonzato said.
Meanwhile, the State Election Commissioner, Ilirjan Celibashi, stressed that the time has come for politics to no longer interfere in the administration of the electoral process. He called for the depoliticization of the administration and proposed a new mixed formula for its organization.
The first meetings of the joint committees were scheduled to take place yesterday, but were postponed at the last minute. This delay has also worried Prime Minister Edi Rama, who loudly vented his nervousness to one of the Socialist co-chairs over the phone from the streets of Rome.
