Reforming the Electoral System

“This parliamentary reform is a challenge for the political parties. We will leave partial interests aside, left or right, small or big, and will think on how to improve the standards. This challenge will also be a moment of reflection, an extraordinary chance for achieving compromises in function of the most perfect reform standard”, declared the Albanian Parliament Speaker, Jozefina Topalli.

The Socialist MP, Damian Gjiknuri, declared after the meeting:

“Today was appointed the group of experts, and they took the preliminary tasks. We haven’t interfered with the other content, but very soon we will start working with the concrete issues that this Commission will review. The other issues are the most problematic, and the recommendations that have to do with the electoral process in Albania. The electoral system is a matter that we will discuss, while now we are expecting propositions from the small parties. It doesn’t matter if I am optimistic or pessimistic. What matters is that the work can start when there is good will and opportunities for success”.

The first meeting was held with the observation of the OSCE ambassador, political representatives from the US Embassy, the European Commission and the British Ambassador.

The OSCE ambassador, Eugen Wollfarth responded to the media interest:

“It was an important beginning, very good and dignifying for the Commission. The main orientations for the commission have been established, based on the OSCE-ODIHR recommendations for the Parliamentary Elections of 2009 and the local elections of 2011. The orientations are on the table and should serve for a good job, with concrete results by the end of the next year. It is important for the parties to communicate and build each others’ trust, and where there is good will, there’s consensual progress, which should be further developed. The ideas should be drafted, but I believe that everything will work”, Wollfarth declared.

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