European Council Spokesperson for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Ana Pisonero expressed regret over the lack of a consensus between the Socialist majority and the opposition over the constitutional changes approved today by the Albanian parliament.
In a series of tweets, Pisonero suggested that the issue of open candidate lists and pre-electoral coalitions be discussed again by the Political Council and that an agreement like the June 5 one be reached before the changes are made to the Electoral Code.
While we acknowledge the adoption by the Parliament of #Albania of some changes to the Constitution concerning the electoral system, it is unfortunate that more time was not dedicated in the preparatory phase to finding a compromise with all parties in the Political Council (1)
— AnaPisonero (@APisoneroECSpox) July 30, 2020
The amendments to the electoral code adopted by the Parliament on 23 July to implement the 5 June agreement, based on OSCE/ODIHR recommendations, have fulfilled the condition set by the Council when deciding to open accession negotiations in March (2)
— AnaPisonero (@APisoneroECSpox) July 30, 2020
It is now essential that amendments to electoral code to implement constitutional changes, in particular open lists+role of pre-electoral coalitions, are properly discussed with all political actors in the Political Council in a collaborative +inclusive way before being voted (3)
— AnaPisonero (@APisoneroECSpox) July 30, 2020
EU Ambassador Luigi Soreca also tweeted his regret at the lack of compromise, and similarly called for comprehensive dialogue between the majority and the opposition before amending the Electoral Code. The Electoral Code amendments approved by the parliament on July 23, Soreca said, fulfill one of the European Council’s conditions for opening accession negotiations.
While we acknowledge the adoption by the Albanian 🇦🇱Parliament of some changes to the Constitution concerning the electoral system, it is unfortunate that no more time was dedicated in the preparatory phase to finding a compromise with all parties in the framework of the…1/4
— Luigi Soreca🇪🇺 (@LSorecaEU) July 30, 2020
