There seems to be some confusion over how many of the five rounds of voting have now been completed. If the two postponed rounds are counted then there is only one vote left. If only actual votes are counted then there are three more opportunities to find a President. If anyone knows which is correct please enlighten me.
Either way, though, it seems immaterial. Clearly there was no progress on finding a consensus candidate between the first and second votes, and there seems to be no great urgency to produce one. It seems instead that both parties are now resigned to - or perhaps enthusiastically looking forward to - a general election.
How a general election will help, I don't know. There are no new people, no new parties and no new ideas out there. A general election will merely reshuffle the existing pack. Even if the Socialist parties were to win an election and form the next government, if they can't deliver 84 votes they can't elect a President.
So what happens then? If a new Parliament failed to elect a President would it have to be dissolved and would there be yet another general election? If so, why would a Democrat opposition, having been forced into an election under these circumstances, support any candidate for President, knowing that to do so would consolidate the Socialists in power?
I assume that various outside agencies are leaning on the parties to find a resolution but at the moment it looks unlikely. Still with 12 days to come up with a viable candidate, there is still time for a surprise.
Comments
Although the upcoming energy crisis and next years certain water crisis will probably swing some votes to the left. In any event its hard to imagine that RAMA could win the 84 seats needed.
If both parties seriously did not want a general election than they should've left moisiu as president. The guy has done a great job and holds the balance, unlike Topi, a DP member.
Also, I am puzzled Berisha chose to go with a muslim choice for president. In his earlier years in politics it was him as president and meksi (an orthodox) as PM. It was always so. Topi and Berisha are both muslims. Historically at least one has always been christian to appease the orthodox intelligentia as the Parlianment speaker on all Berisha gov'ts has been Catholic (Arbnori, Topalli). I remember in '97 when he briefly appointed FINO as PM and told his advisors "ok, we'll appoint him since he is a socialist, be he isn't christian". Obviously the emergency of the situation then required someone, anyone and Fino was there to ease a situation that would inevitably erupt.
In my view Kadare would have been the best choice. He is Albania's number 1 ambassador working for free in the world. The guy is charming, knows how to approach an issue and alwasy looks at the bigger picture. But of course, most of those in power and opposition look at him as an ex-commie. Interestingly, most of them were ex-commies themselves and in those days accused Kadare of not being an ultra-commie!
Lets hope pressure from abroad will get things sorted without the need for a General Election.
Kadare cannot be elected president because for the last 10 yrs he hasn't resided in Albania and that is a constitutional requirement. Your idea about Kadare shows just how off you're when it comes to the reality in Albania and absolutely invalidates that dumb, dumb, dumb comment about the religion of the president.
If I were in your place I'd refrain myself from making anymore comments on the religion of Albanins in the future.
Ll.T.
As to your constitutional req'd many politicians dont seem to bother with them when it comes to adhering to the law and protecting their own businesses. Do u really believe for a second that they follow it that blidly. Kadare was offered the presidency in the past even though he was living in France....
I don't discuss sensitive and touchy issues about my country with people who don't have the ability to comprehend them.
So long,
Ll.
P.S. I didn't stop you from discussing this subject, I merely sugested it so that you wouldn't make yourself a fool.
P.S.2 Sorry for the altercation OMIT. I couldn't stop on Friday but if I get a couple of days off I'm giving you a call :)
Once again, I dont think religion is a touchy subject in albania and it should be talked about cause there's still much confusion when it comes to our identity and it is holding us back. If you can't understand that man, than I'm really sorry but perhaps you shouldn't comment on it at all. And if something makes you unconfortable close your eyes and dont read it.