The Macedonian Alliance Party for European Integration as well as the Alliance Party for European Equality and Justice, together with the Party for Europeanization and Integration, through a press statement, have asked the special commission for electoral reform to address the recommendations of the OSCE-OHDIR report concerning with the implementation of voting and electronic counting, depoliticized election administration as well as the creation of conditions for citizens to vote abroad.

According to Vasil Sterjovski, this system is discriminatory and does not guarantee fair representation for minorities that are spread throughout Albania.

In the OSCE-OHDIR report, it is required to respect the rights of minorities in our country and guarantee their free vote.

On behalf of the parties of the Macedonian, Vlach-Roma and Egyptian community in Albania, especially the party Alliance of Macedonians for European Integration, the party Alliance for European Equality and Justice and the party for Europeanization and Integration of Albania, we request that the Special Commission for Electoral Reform address the recommendations of the OSCE/ODIHR reports, the implementation of electronic voting and counting, depoliticized electoral administration and the creation of conditions for citizens to vote abroad.

It is essential that the Electoral Reform be implemented in a comprehensive and consensual process and address the issue of minority representation with guaranteed seats in parliament, providing them with an audible and effective voice. This will allow their representatives to effectively protect and address the problems of minorities.

The current regional proportional electoral system does not address the needs of a diverse society and the social formations within it. This system is discriminatory and does not guarantee fair representation for minorities, which are spread throughout the territory of the Republic of Albania, not only in specific areas.

Many European countries have adopted successful models for minority representation in parliament, such as in Croatia, Slovenia, Romania, Hungary, Kosovo, the Russian Federation and the Scandinavian countries. These examples should serve as inspiration for positive changes in our electoral system. The representation of minorities in Parliament is not only a matter of justice and equality, but also an obligation derived from international conventions for the protection of national minorities and international standards that deal with rights and freedoms of minorities.

In particular, the Fifth Opinion on Albania of the Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities of the Council of Europe in 2023 requires Albania to undertake positive measures to ensure the representation of minorities in Parliament.

We believe that the changes in our legislation on the parliamentary representation of minorities will rank us among the most advanced democratic states in Europe with regard to the representation of minority groups. This is an opportunity for Albania to show its commitment to democratic values ​​and respect for diversity.