Opposition leader Lulzim Basha has announced an intensification of the opposition protests ahead of the early elections on May 7 for the mayor of Kavaja, in which only the Socialist Party (PS) is participating.
He also called for a “total blockade of national traffic in all of Albania” on Monday April 24 between 11:00 and 12:00. This is the same day that negotiators from the European Parliament, including Vice President of the European People’s Party (EPP) David McAllister, are expected to arrive in Tirana to find a solution to the political crisis.
Prime Minister Edi Rama and Speaker of Parliament Ilir Meta had called upon the EPP to mediate between the government and the opposition.
Basha has stated only to negotiate about the conditions under which Prime Minister Rama will resign and a caretaker government will be installed.
On April 19, the PS and LSI requested the Central Election Commission (KQZ) to postpone the registration deadlines for political parties and electoral coalitions, in order to gain time to “negotiate.” The KQZ has refused to take a decision on the request, meaning that under the current conditions the elections will be held without the opposition parties and without a electoral coalition between the majority parties.
