Referendum question marks

For the second time within a few hours, after the Parliament failed to pass through consensus the Constitutional amends that would limit the immunity for government officials and judges, PM Berisha expressed his determination to push forward the idea of a general referendum.

“The only way that remains is to ask the Albanians for a popular referendum”, Berisha declared.

By accusing once again the Socialist leader of not allowing the members of his party to vote the immunity limitation, so that he can block the EU candidate status for a third time, Berisha openly declared that the referendum will have some difficulties on the legal-procedural side, since there is a complicated decision of the Constitutional Court for allowing the people to vote on Constitutional amends.

Berisha decided to ask the Parliament experts to study the possible legal ways for holding the referendum.

“Despite some certain difficulties, the referendum will fully respect the Constitution and its spirit. Nothing will stop the citizen’s voice to be heard. Hence, I will ask the Parliament’s Legislative Council to elaborate the platform for the further steps of this major act, in which the Albanian citizens will express themselves. They have the right to express themselves about us. Who is afraid of this, should step aside”, Berisha declared.

But when will the citizens vote? This is unclear, since if there will be an official request from the majority, there will be other institutions who will take their time to decide about this decision.

If the Constitutional Court will rule in favor of the referendum, there will be at least 60 days before it can be held. Without mentioning the procedures at the Central Election Commission, which need more than three months to hold the referendum within 30th December of this year. This is the last deadline for the referendum, since the law doesn’t allow any referendum six months before the elections, which might be held on June 1st or 8th.

Berisha is aware that there is a time pressure, and for this reason he mentioned it, but without abandoning his certainty that the referendum will be held.

“We will ask for a popular referendum, by respecting all legal and constitutional rules. The time will be set by the respective institutions, the Central Election Commission, the Constitutional Court and other institutions”, Berisha declared.

SMI: Let’s reach a consensus

Is there a second option besides the referendum? After failing to pass the Draft Law for the Constitutional Amend, there’s another option for the Parliament. They can try to pass it again, probably in September.

This is the option to which the Socialist Movement for Integration referred to, supporting the Prime Minister’s initiative for a referendum but also suggesting the September’s voting as a second chance.

“If politics will be unable to do that, it will be realized by the citizens and the popular referendum, but there’s no reason why we shouldn’t find other responsible ways”, declared Luan Rama.

Berisha didn’t mention this option, saying that Rama has put the interest of a small group of people before the interest of the people.

“I fully respect the people who become reach legally, but a group of billionaires cannot kick the Albanians’ will for having their government officials without immunity”, Berisha declared.

In the last Parliamentary session for this season, after failing to lift the immunity, Berisha announced that there will be a popular referendum on this matter.

The Prime Minister accused the opposition’s MPs of violating the principal interests of the people who elected them.

The SP leader, Edi Rama, reacted on Twitter by inviting the government on voting all the Constitutional amends and see who has the support of the people.

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