US Ambassador Yuri Kim has responded to the harsh criticisms levied against her and the British ambassador by Prime Minister Edi Rama regarding the purity of MP candidates in the upcoming general elections.
Yesterday, Rama slammed both ambassadors for their alleged overzealous involvement in the country’s domestic issues. Both ambassadors had made statements calling for transparency in party financing, a resolution to the issue of vote-buying, and ensuring MP candidates aren’t criminals.
Rama responded by saying:
“I do not understand this British ambassador at all, why is he so involved in the issue of elections in Albania? I respect him, and he really is a person who deserves respect, but I do not understand why he is so involved in the internal discussions of Albania when it comes to elections? I am saying this publicly now because I already told him privately.”
He then turned to US Ambassador Yuri Kim, who has recently called on party leaders to keep criminals away from electoral lists.
“There is no need for the American ambassador to tell me my duty. Do not bring forth the American ambassador, I do not need to be reminded of my duty by any ambassador in Albania and no EU coordinator. I know my duty towards the law and towards the Albanian people. The law is quite clear, whoever has committed criminal offenses in the past, for which he has been convicted, should not run for public office.”
The Prime Minister has repeatedly absolved political parties and their leaders from responsibility over potential former criminals appearing in electoral lists or in parliament. He has argued that they are not the right institutions to be asked to check the past of MP candidates.
His Socialist Party has suffered from this issue since it came to power eight years ago. A number of MPs and mayors were found to have committed criminal offenses and to have been sentenced to prison mainly in European countries.
Ambassador Kim responded via Twitter reminding Rama that these matters are important because Albanian law requires it. She continued that as a member of NATO and an EU candidate country, this is essential.
Party leaders shouldn’t clean their lists simply because some ambassador said so or because 🇺🇸 has made clear that corruption is a priority. They should do it because it’s required by 🇦🇱’s law, it’s expected of a NATO Ally & EU aspirant, & it’s a basic sign of respect for voters.
— Ambassador Yuri Kim (@USAmbAlbania) February 3, 2021
“Party leaders shouldn’t clean their lists simply because some ambassador said so or because the US has made clear that corruption is a priority. They should do it because it’s required by Albania’s law, it’s expected of a NATO ally and EU aspirant, and it’s a basic sign of respect for voters.”
Rama has launched a number of strongly-worded attacks on internationals over the last few weeks. These include the Russian Embassy (including expelling a diplomat), the EU, the French Embassy, MEP Michael Gahler, and now the US and British Ambassadors.
