Konjufca said disclosing the candidates at this stage could harm negotiations with the opposition Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK).

“Vetevendosje is ready. Prime Minister Kurti is ready. We have the names, but I cannot share them with you, as that would undermine the negotiating process,” he said.

He added that the LDK was also expected to be ready soon for talks, after its leader Lumir Abdixhiku said last week that the two sides would meet this week.

Konjufca said LVV leader Albin Kurti was ready to discuss the presidential election with Abdixhiku and expressed optimism that a meeting between the two could bring the parties closer to an agreement.

He said the talks were expected to focus on specific candidates and that one of the names discussed could become Kosovo’s next president.

/KosovaPress/u.sh/

The CEC also decided to terminate the mandates of political party representatives on the Municipal Election Commission in Prizren, citing significant discrepancies in candidate vote totals.

CEC chairman Kreshnik Radoniqi said the findings would be referred to the State Prosecutor and that the central election body would cooperate fully with investigators.

Recounts showed that changes to party vote totals were minimal, but candidate-level results contained major inaccuracies, with Prizren identified as the most extreme case, Radoniqi said.

Kosovo prosecutors have begun gathering evidence to determine whether criminal offences related to the electoral process were committed.

The recount concerns Kosovo’s Dec. 28 parliamentary election, won by Lëvizja Vetëvendosje.

/KosovaPress//r.e/u.sh/

Political leader for Gjirokastra Mirela Kumbaro stated that Gramoz Sako will be a candidate for the municipality of Tepelena.

Political leader for Dibra Blendi Klosi said that Altin Bojni will be the SP candidate for the municipality of Mat.

Political leader of Berat region Ervin Demo stated that the candidate for mayor in Berat will be Ervin Ceca.

Political leader of Vlora region Bledi Çuçi stated that the candidate for mayor in Vlora will be Brunilda Mersini, a current SP MP.

Political leader of Elbasan region Arbjan Mazniku stated that the candidate for mayor in Cërrik will be Florenc Doka.

The political leaders of the party held in high esteem the candidates chosen to run in the elections. /p.s./

Through a press statement, Celibashi addressed the members of the counting groups, whom he thanked for carrying out their duties with professionalism, in accordance with the law and the CEC instructions.

“We would like to bring to everyone’s attention that the violation of the vote of any candidate on the open list constitutes a serious violation of electoral integrity and that brings serious legal consequences for those responsible,” Celibashi said.

In this context, he recalled that it is prohibited to conduct a re-evaluation of votes for political parties or coalitions, now that the process of counting and evaluating votes for candidates on the open list has begun.

“The law clearly stipulates that ballots, in which the vote is expressed only for the party or coalition, are stored in a separate envelope and are not subject to re-evaluation during the process of counting and evaluating votes for candidates,” he said.

Celibashi emphasized that any violation of this rule will be considered an attempt to manipulate the election result and will be followed by strict legal measures.

In this regard, he announced that the Central Election Commission has footage of the process of counting and evaluating votes for parties and coalitions for all Electoral Administration Zones. /m.m/j.p/p.s./

According to the CEC, only 35 candidates from the full list of SP candidates have been declared “suspended” or “resigned” from office. The spokesperson said in her reaction that, “DP is closely following fulfillment of legal obligations for all candidates, not just these 35”.

“In compliance with Article 69 of the Constitution of the Republic of Albania and the Electoral Code every candidate must quit from any state post, not just be suspended from office, which means temporary”, said Vangjeli.

Vangjeli added that, “The state officials cannot run for MP without resigning from office.” /r.e/p.s./

Addressing the opposition supporters, Berisha focused on the DP program, pledging to cut tax burden and pardon all the fines levied on businesses across Albania if elected in the next month’s general election.

“We will cut tax burden in businesses in half. The 10% is the tax rate applied over the millennia, is the tax described on the holy books, and it is the fairest tax rate in the world. We will set a 10% tax rate only, whereas VAT will be lowered to 15% from a current 20% rate. Tax on small businesses will be no higher than one percent of their turnover,” Berisha stated.

The opposition leader also pledged to pardon all the fines on businesses.

Berisha vowed to combat corruption, saying “we can make Albania great again only by cleaning our house.”

He also pledged to narrow the difference between the minimum and maximum wage rate in the country. Berisha said that his post-election government would support Made in Albania products and support local production in order to create new jobs and improve the citizens’ welfare.

/a.f/r.e/u.sh/

Addressing the event, Berisha said that the next month’s polls will mark a crucial moment for Albania and put an end to the “12-year winter of the Socialist government.”

“I return to this city to convey the message that this time, Elbasan and whole Albania will experience a second Summer Day on May 11, the day that will mark the end of the 12-year winter, the longest Albanians have ever been through. May 11 will be the true summer day for Albania and Albanians. Elbasan was ruined during the 12 years of Edi Rama’s government,” DP leader said.

Berisha said that the opposition candidates in Elbasan and throughout Albania will ensure implementation of Make Albania Great Again program.

He said that “the post-election government of the opposition will free Elbasan and the city will no longer be under the mafia control.”

/r.e/u.sh/

The government head emphasized the importance of May 11 parliamentary elections to Albania’s European Union membership process, saying the country’s path towards the bloc could fall apart should the Socialists fail to win.

“May 11 is an unusual election day as it is not about which party is going to win, but it is about Albania’s fate in the coming years that coincide with our fourth term in office. The country’s EU accession negotiations would have not been question if it were no elections in between,” Rama said.

The Premier stated that the May 11 elections will determine the progress of EU accession talks, saying  “the EU membership perspective is now real and actual for the first time since the country embarked on this path.”

“It is for the first time that not only we want to become EU members, but also they want to have us in the EU as soon as possible,” Rama stated, adding that this window of opportunity may not be always opened.

/a.f/u.sh/

“The credit for this goes to the political leader of the party for this region Bledi Çuci who has made a careful assessment of reality while opening the doors of this political force”, he emphasized.

Rama expressed his satisfaction that the team is composed of experienced people, but also young people and even people who used to belong to other political forces.

“There is room for everyone in the SP, even for those who can use it for greater purposes”, emphasized the prime minister.

Rama highlighted that the socialist camp has two major goals: “To successfully conclude the negotiation process with the EU and improve the quality of life of the people”. /r.e/p.s./

DP’s Electoral Commission (KOKOE) announced a turnout of 50,854 voters in its internal primaries at a national level.

A total of 13 052 DP members cast ballots to pick among 82 candidates in Tirana, the country’s largest district, with Hysen Kadiu ranking first with 913 votes, followed by Klevis Balliu with 737 votes, Grigels Muçollari with 666 votes, Jorida Tabaku with 651 votes and Ilir Alimehmeti with 603 votes.

According to KOKOE, 2044 DP members voted in the district of Berat, 4826 members in Korça, 2640 in Kukes, 3669 in Lezha, 4922 members in Durres, 4580 in Fier, 4580 in Diber, 4451 in Shkoder, 3927 in Elbasan, 1957 in Gjirokaster.

KOKOE said that the final results in the primaries will be forwarded the DP Chairmanship for further decisions.

/a.f/r.e/u.sh/