Albania opposition issues call for road blocks on Monday

TIRANA, Albania – Albania’s opposition says it will block the country’s roads as part of its two-month campaign to have a caretaker Cabinet put in place to govern until the parliamentary election in June.

Lulzim Basha, leader of the main opposition Democratic party, called on supporters to block the national roads countrywide at noon on Monday.

European Parliament negotiators are expected to arrive in the capital of Tirana that day to mediate between the governing left-wing coalition and the centre-right opposition.

The opposition so far has declined to negotiate unless Prime Minister Edi Rama resigns.

The opposition alleges the sitting Cabinet will manipulate the vote and also wants to change the election date from June 18. Since mid-February, its supporters have blocked the main boulevard in Tirana and pitched a tent outside Rama’s office.