Elections, influenced by party leaders/ Berisha and Meta, autocratic rule

2023-05-24 09:04:00, Aktualitet CNA

Another point addressed in the Freedom House report is National Democratic Governance and the Electoral Process, where it is asserted that elections were predetermined and influenced by party leaders, instead of being the result of genuine internal party competition.

According to the report, this highlights limited democracy and that leaders maintain an iron fist of autocratic control and rule.

The report mentions Berisha's return to PD and Meta's return to politics.

Excerpt from the Freedom House report

Democratic National Government and the Electoral Process

Considering the elections and the dynamics within the main political parties, including the return of Mr. Berisha, the end of the mandate of former president Ilir Meta and his return to active politics, as well as the elections in the Socialist Party, the report highlights the role of leaders.

"Observers claim that these internal elections in Albania's three main political parties (PD, PL and SP) were predetermined and heavily influenced by party leaders, rather than being the result of genuine internal party competition. This highlights Albania's limited internal party democracy, where party leaders maintain control with an iron fist, with autocratic rule," the report states.

Regarding the election of President Bajram Begaj, the report points out that although initially there seemed to be an effort for a consensual president, eventually "despite the fact that (he) was considered an apolitical candidate, the SP in power elected Begaj", with the votes her.

"Given that the EU has asked Albania to show more commitment to inter-party cooperation, experts argued that both sides missed an opportunity to demonstrate cooperation in choosing a common presidential candidate," the report states.

Prime Minister Rama reorganized the cabinet in July, replacing Arben Ahmetaj with Belinda Balluk as deputy prime minister. Ahmetaj's dismissal raised concerns about the government's process for awarding public procurement contracts.

Speaking about the incinerators case, the report states that according to observers, if SPAK could prove the allegations, it would likely expose the corrupt activities of various high-ranking politicians, including links to dubious interests and organized crime networks.

The report states that the race before the election of Altin Duman as the new head of SPAK was characterized by concerns about possible political interference.

"On the eve of the vote, the ambassador of Albania to the United States, Yuri Kim, expressed concern about the political pressure in the election of the head of SPAK, which the Albanian government rejected", the report states./ CNA.al