OSCE supports opposition for regulation

The ambassador declared that this is only the beginning, because there must be constructive developments and a good will for starting a dialogue, in order to lead the country forward and creating the necessary environment for consensual steps.

TCH – Mr. Ambassador, what is your opinion about the recent political events, after the opposition returned in Parliament?

Wolfarth – The return in the Parliament was a decisive and extraordinary step, but surely, it doesn’t end by simply being there. This is only the beginning, because there must be constructive developments and the will for starting a dialogue, for leading the country forward and creating the necessary environment for consensual steps, which are necessary for the reform agenda, including the EU integration. The return is really essential, but it must not be only a physical return, but also a return in essence, combined with the will for achieving results. I think that it is a very encouraging beginning.

TCH – The opposition announced some propositions for the Parliamentary Regulation, asking to return into force that of 2005. Do you think that these requests should be implemented? Do you think that the opposition is right?

Wolfarth – A Parliament must function in a professional way, and the Regulation has a key significance in this aspect. As I said early, it is a matter of good will. Having a Parliamentary Regulation that offers equal circumstances for the government and the opposition is one of the preconditions for enabling a normal Parliament functionality. Many countries, if not all of them, the German Bundestag or the European Parliament, have consensual regulations. I think that this is time for Albania to return to a consensual regulation, but surely, they must clarify if the old regulation of 2005 is acceptable, or if they have to add other elements. However, the Regulation is essential.

TCH – Mr. Ambassador, would it be safe to say that you support the propositions offered by the Albanian opposition?

Wolfarth: It is not wrong. It is an important proposition, it has worked in the past and it is worth trying it, even by starting with the Regulation of 2005, if the parties would agree. This would be a good start, but it is up to the partners, I intentionally say “partners”, of both sides.

TCH – Mr. Ambassador, what’s your opinion about the 10 propositions made by Mr. Rama, which he called The National Pact of Integration.

Wolfarth – It is an interesting title and includes useful propositions. Maybe he should not limit them to 10, because there is still much to do. But two of those elements are extremely important. One has to do with the Parliament Regulation, and the other is the Electoral Code, and we saw this year how important it was. Even with these elements only, it is clear that there is substance in these propositions. But everything must be discussed between partners within parties, and the parties themselves. The best place for this is certainly the Parliament, and the Regulation has a key significance for making it function with a real European and democratic behavior. I think that this would bring only success, always if there will be political will for leading the country forward.

TCH – The political circles have started the debate for the way our President will be elected. Some of them support the election of the President by the people. Do you think that the President should be elected by the people?

Wolfarth – It depends on the Constitution. Currently, the Albanian Constitution provides that the President will be elected from the votes of the MPs. If you allow me to make a comment for the Constitution, I think that the Albanian Constitution and its dispositions are very good. It does not mean that it should stay eternally like that. It can be discussed, and a good place for discussing it is the Parliament. It can be discussed among the civil society, but I wanted to emphasize that when the voting procedures are changed, then it might be necessary to make an additional campaign and these additional elections might attract more attention more to the elections and less to the reform agenda. For this reason, I would advise you to be careful when making these changes in the right time, when Albania will have made more progressed towards the EU integration. In many neighboring countries, the President is elected by the people. It seems like a very natural procedure in the region.

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