Europe official denounces Albania opposition’s poll boycott

TIRANA, Albania – A senior European Union official says he regrets that Albania’s opposition will not take part in the parliamentary election and denounces its boycott as not in line with European democratic standards.

A statement from EU Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn on Thursday warned Albanian leaders would be held accountable for preventing their people’s “legitimate aspirations … for a better future.”

Hahn said he respected the “deliberate choice by the current opposition not to run for elections … but at the same time deeply regret this decision from a democratic point of view.”

“The democratic process must continue, even if some decide to stay behind,” he said.

Last week the ruling Socialist Party cancelled a mayoral vote in a western town by withdrawing its candidate, apparently fearing a confrontation with opposition supporters who were planning a protest there on the same day.

Hahn called the cancellation “a clear loss for democracy.”

Albania expects to launch full membership negotiations with Brussels if it holds free and fair polls in June 18 and launches the justice reform, blocked because of the opposition.

The opposition Democratic Party has boycotted parliament since February and demanded that Prime Minister Edi Rama resign before the election because of fears that his Cabinet will manipulate the vote.

The opposition, which has not registered for the June 18 polls and has threatened that they will not be held, has planned a national protest in the capital Tirana this weekend.

Hahn condemned what he called “call for ‘actions’ that would undermine each citizen’s right to vote and other fundamental freedoms.”

Hana also regretted that several attempts to by EU representatives, including himself, to promote dialogue among political parties in Albania had failed to convince “parties and leaders live up to their responsibility to find a joint solution.”