Albania opposition threatens ‘civil disobedience’ in vote

TIRANA, Albania – Albania’s opposition is threatening to block voting on May 7, demanding that a caretaker government bring the country to the June polls.

A party statement Wednesday said they would organize “civil disobedience” not to allow voting, starting with a local city hall election in a western town on May 7, when they have planned a national protest.

The opposition is boycotting parliament and the June 18 parliamentary election, insisting that existing Cabinet and Prime Minister Edi Rama resign because the opposition fears they will manipulate the vote.

Earlier this week, opposition supporters blocked national roads for an hour.

A recent visit by European parliamentarians failed to convince the opposition to change its stance. On Wednesday, the opposition turned down participating in a round table of parliament’s political parties.