Xhafaj: August sixth, an imposition
02/08/2012 00:00
Linda Rama: Between Family, Work and Albania’s Future 18/08 14:30
The declarations of Prime Minister Berisha, Parliament Speaker Topalli
and the Integration Minister, Majlinda Bregu, saying that the opposition
must vote in Parliament on August sixth for the constitutional amends
that will allow Albania to receive the EU candidate status were
considered by the Socialist Party as an imposition from the majority.
The Socialist vice chairman at the Parliamentary Commission of Laws, Fatmir Gjata, declared for the journalists that August sixth is an arbitrary decision and imposed by the Parliament Speaker, since the opposition gave no consensus in the Conference of Chairmen.
“The Prime Minister declared that August sixth was agreed between the entire Albania Parliament on July 12th, while the Parliament Speaker says that August sixth was appointed at the Conference of Chairmen on July 12th. This is not true. The decision for August sixth was an arbitrary decision, outside any Constitutional logic and Parliamentary rule. The Conference of Chairmen had our representatives oppose this date, with the argumentation that this organism has no competency for setting the session day. After a harsh debate held in this meeting of the Conference of Chairmen, our representatives left the meting and the Speaker used her veto and appointed this date without the approval of the opposition”, Xhafaj declared.
Xhufi considered the persistence of the majority leaders to pass the amends as a mere demagogy, because the opposition has asked the amends since October 2011.
Xhafaj also explained that even if the amends will be voted on August sixth, 15 other days are needed for the Constitutional amends to enter in effect, followed by a series of laws. It means that they need several months of work, according to Xhafaj, saying that August sixth cannot be the border for the beginning of a new era.
Bregu: Opposition must vote to remove immunity
The Integration Minister, Majlinda Bregu, appealed the opposition to vote on August sixth for removing the immunity of high rank state officials, as a condition for Albania to receive a positive answer for the EU candidate status this year. The Minister declared in a press release that the immunity lifting is the only unfulfilled obligation asked by the European Commission for Albania.
“Immunity and its removal are the only obligation for fulfilling the 12 point calendar asked by the European Commission. We have an urgent issue to resolve today, and that is lifting the immunity for high rank officials, as part of the eight point in the action plan, that includes war against corruption”, Bregu declared.
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