Friday at 05:00 p.m. marked the beginning of the second constitutive plenary session of the Albanian Parliament’s 10th legislature.
Initially, the session carried on with the process of getting 140 elected MPs sworn in, during which Luljeta Bozo called out the names of all representatives, who confirmed their oaths for all to hear.
During the parliamentary elections that took place in Albania on April 25th, the Socialists won 74 seats, the Democrats through their coalition won 59 seats (DP – 50, PR 3, PDIU – 2, PBDNJ – 1 , LZHK – 1, PLL – 1, PAA – 1), SMI won 4 seats and PSDSH won 3 seats.
After the parliamentary oaths, the session should continue with the confidence vote for the new Speaker of the House. SP has put forward the name of former minister of education, Lindita Nikolla, whereas DP’s proposal for deputy speaker is Enkelejd Alibeaj.
Reports from DP’s headquarters have confirmed earlier today that the oppositions’ parliamentary group will not be voting in favor of Nikolla. In fact, many Democrats ripped their ballots as a sign of protest, as Berisha followed by several others, left the room.
In order to be appointed as Speaker, Nikolla needs to receive a minimum of 71 votes, which SP can easily acquire on its own, seeing that it already has a total of 74 seats, including their long-term allies, PSDSH’s 3 seats.
The focus of the beginning of this new legislature has shifted towards the latest action undertaken by acting DP chair, Lulzim Basha, who decided to follow up on the numerous requests made recently by the US ambassador, Yuri Kim, urging Sali Berisha to step down from his political life and consequently not be part of the next legislature.
Last night during a public appearance, Basha made the announcement that he had ultimately decided, although regretfully, to expel former PM Sali Berisha from DP’s parliamentary group, at least until all legal procedures pending against him are seen through.
Attorney Dardan Mustafa however, confirmed for Euronews Albania that “Berisha had been expelled from the parliamentary group, but not from the party”.
Mustafa explained that in order to actually expel Berisha from the parliamentary group, a parliamentary procedure is required.
In addition, Mustafa said that within 5 days from the appointment of the new parliament speaker, MPs have the right to be declared as members of parliamentary groups.
Following these formalities, said Mustafa, Basha’s decision to expel Berisha should ultimately be finalized and approved by the majority of members of DP’s parliamentary group, which means there needs to be a vote.
Needless to say, this vote is going to prove to be a difficult encounter that will bring together all the Democrats that are currently divided into supporters of Basha and supporters of Berisha.
News is updating…
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