TIRANA, Feb 14 /ATA/ – The main opposition Democratic Party (DP) is committed to pursuing an electoral reform that would turn Albania into a single nationwide electoral district, party leader Sali Berisha said on Saturday, adding that elections held under Prime Minister Edi Rama would not be free.
Speaking during an online discussion with his party supporters, Berisha described a Feb. 10 protest organised by the opposition as one of the largest peaceful uprisings in Albania since the fall of communism in 1991.
He said the demonstration reflected “the dignity and courage” of Albanian citizens and claimed it had drawn international attention.
Berisha reiterated that the opposition’s objective was to remove what he has repeatedly described as a “narco-state,” and said protests would continue until that goal was achieved.
“We will not halt the uprising without bringing down the narco-state,” he said.
On electoral reform, Berisha said opposition parties had endorsed a proposal put forward by a forum of intellectuals calling for Albania to be designated a single electoral zone, arguing that such a system would ensure equal weight for each citizen’s vote nationwide.
However, he maintained that changes to the electoral system alone would not guarantee credible elections.
“Whatever the system, whatever the changes, with Edi Rama the elections will be a farce,” Berisha said.
/m.q/u.sh/
