TIRANA, June 3 /ATA/ The Chairman of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, in his speech at the Political Assembly of the European People’s Party (EPP), accused the Albanian government of electoral fraud.
Berisha accused the government of abusing public funds in the run-up to the elections, pointing to cash handouts of 100 euros per pensioner and the waiver of 200 million euros in penalties just days before the vote.
“In these elections, the state was effectively turned into a electoral campaign machinery, with financial, human, logistical, and executive resources made available to tamper with, control, and manipulate the will of Albanian voters.”
“The government, during the election campaign, in violation of both national laws and international standards, gave each pensioner—who make up 48% of the electorate—a payment of 100 euros. Just two days before the elections, it also wrote off 200 million euros in fines and penalty interests,” Berisha stated.
Berisha said the country is facing “a very difficult situation.” The Democratic Party leader concluded his speech by thanking the EPP for its support and appealed for further assistance to overcome the current challenges.
Berisha called on the EPP and its sister parties to send a verification mission to Albania, describing it as a crucial fact-finding effort of paramount importance not only for Albania but also for their own countries. He warned that Albania remains a major source of crime, drug trafficking, and emigration.
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