From: Exit Staff
A Summary of Yesterday’s Meetings on the Electoral Campaign Trail 13/04/21

During the third week of the election campaign, the political parties and their MP candidates continued their electoral meetings in several cities of Albania. Exit brings you a roundup of the key promises and comments made during yesterday’s meetings.

Socialist Party (PS)

  • The PS held several meetings throughout the country. The underlying theme was that the last year has been difficult due to the earthquake and pandemic, therefore they need a third term to finish their work.
  • Candidate Anila Denaj promised that salaries will be increased throughout the country and said that all the PD electoral promises had already been fulfilled by the PS.
  • Candidate for Elbasan Taulant Balla promised investments in the Perrenjas area of Elbasan.
  • Candidate for Korca, Olta Xhacka met with women and girls in Erseka and promised continuous support for them in the areas of political participation and leadership positions.
  • Rama met with residents in Tirana and said that the objective of the PS is to increase jobs with well-paid salaries.

Democratic Party (PD

  • Party Chairman Lulzim Basha met with women working in tailoring shops in Durres. He said he will ensure they receive a salary of at least 36,000 lek EUR 300.
  • Candidate Gazment Bardhi was in Elbasan where he promised zero tax on farmers’ land.
  • Basha also met with associations for disabled people and signed several cooperation agreements.
  • In Korca, candidate Ervin Salianji said they will provide soft loans to the descendants of those persecuted during Communism, and establish an additional monthly payment for those who were directly persecuted.
  • Candidate Bujar Leskaj was in Orikum and promised residents the PD would review returning the area to a separate Municipality in line with their wishes.

Socialist Movement for Integration (LSI)

  • LSI promised to build a new sports center in Shkodra and to return to use two swimming pools used by local swimming teams.

Nisma Thurrje (NT)

  • The party presented another of the 33 draft laws they are proposing which that the judicial system starts using juries as a way to empower citizens.
  • They said that juries will make the judicial system more transparent and credible.

Vetevendosje (VV) 

  • VV called on authorities to release those still being held after protesting against the construction of HPPs in Mirdite. 
  • They drew attention to the plight of Lezhe Castle which they said is under threat from a plan to build hotels and tennis courts there.
  • Tirana candidate Boiken Abazi promised to protect and create public spaces including parks and greenery, sidewalks, and good road infrastructure.

Independent Candidate

  • Independent Candidate for Dibra, Elton Debreshi submitted a request to the Constitutional Court to drop the threshold of 1% for independent candidates. This law means he must get 16,000 national votes to win the Dibra seat. He argued the law treats him, a sole candidate, as a political party and is unfair.