TIRANA, Oct 26 /ATA/ Socialist Party parliamentary group leader Taulant Balla said today that Prime Minister Edi Rama would neither resign nor call early elections, while the offer of dialogue with students remained on the table.
Speaking to reporters following a meeting of the parliamentary group, Balla said the governing majority was in favour of dialogue with students, stressing that in a democracy, governments change through the ballot box.
“Prime Minister Rama has been very clear: dialogue with students. The truth is that there are issues that need to be addressed, even though we are among the few countries that provide special support for outstanding students. In Albania, an outstanding student receives $600 a month in state support, something that is not available in other countries. Students from disadvantaged families pay no taxes or fees and also receive €100 a month in state assistance. At the same time, students are entitled to say that this is not enough,” he added.
However, Balla said that dialogue could not and should under no circumstances take place with those who engage in violence.
Asked about changing the electoral system, Balla said there was currently no list of issues under discussion.
Balla ruled out Prime Minister Edi Rama’s resignation, citing the support of the Socialist Party’s parliamentary group and its 862,000 voters. He reaffirmed the government’s openness to dialogue, excluding those involved in violence, and urged students to follow Serbia’s example, stressing that political change in a democracy must come through elections.
Balla assured that the Socialist Party would remain committed to fully implementing its “Albania 2030” programme and seeing Albania become a member of the European Union.
“We will not negotiate this with anyone; we will see it through to the end. There will be no early elections,” Balla stressed.
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