Rama ‘Won’t Wait A Second’, Europe Increases The Pressure, Meta Appeals For Reflection

Nga OraNews Përditësimi i fundit 28 Tetor 2020, 13:37

Despite international "pressure", Prime Minister Edi Rama seems determined to re-vote in parliament the changes to the Electoral Code, without first waiting for the opinion of the Venice Commission.

Speaking at a press conference in Rinas, after returning from Lebanon, the leader of the majority stated that he would not miss a single second on this issue.

And in sync with Rama was the Parliamentary Commission of Laws, which overturned the decree of President Ilir Meta.

Meta asked them to wait for the Venice

Before the start of the meeting of the Law Commissioner, President Ilir Meta addressed a request to the Albanian Parliament to receive the opinion of the Venice Commission.

During the meeting, the Advisor to the President Ilir Meta, Bledar Dervishaj said that any change constitutes a clear violation of the rules of the game and that it violated the June 5 agreement.

Meanwhile, there have been many reactions from European politics, which asks the majority to reflect on the decree of the President of the Republic and to wait for the opinion of "Venice".

Oliver Varhelyi       

European Commissioner for Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi, in his post, described as smart the decision of Prime Minister Rama to wait for the opinion of the Venice Commission, but stressed that the Assembly should not vote before it arrives. According to the senior official of the European Union, such a move would show prudence on the part of the Albanian state.

"I am pleased that the Prime Minister welcomes the opinion of the Venice Commission on the constitutional changes of July. It would therefore be prudent to wait for the opinion before it is re-voted in Parliament. I look forward to free and fair elections in April 2021"

Andrey Kovatchev, Vice-President of the Group of European People's Parties (EPP)

The deputy chairman of the European People's Party group, Andrey Kovatchev, supports the position of the EU Commissioner for Enlargement, who appealed to the Albanian Parliament to wait for the opinion of the Venice Commission on the vote of the President's decree on the Electoral Code.

"I support the position of Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi! The Electoral Code must be in line with the opinion of the Venice Commission in any case, as it would be in favor of democracy in Albania. I call on Prime Minister Rama and the Albanian Parliament to respect this."

Michael Gahler

While the German MEP, Michael Gahler, appealed to respect the Venice Commission from all parties in Albania.

"The Commissioner's statement is wise, as institutions like the Venice Commission must be respected by all stakeholders."

David Lega

The day before, the MEP and at the same time the rapporteur for Albania in the EPP, David Lega, was very concrete.

In a reaction on Twitter, Lega, calling on the Assembly and the government to wait for the opinion of "Venice", stressed that such a decision would speak of a democratic approach.

"The Parliament of Albania and Prime Minister Rama must wait for the opinion of the Venice Commission. That would be a democratic approach. Free and fair elections in April 2021".

Response from the Venice Commission

The day before, the president of the Venice Commission, Gianni Buquicchio, responded to the letter of President Ilir Meta, emphasizing that the opinion on the new Electoral Code will be given in December.

But will Edi Rama and the majority wait until December? Tomorrow is the first test…