The two leading candidates are Bamir Topi who is the nominee of the ruling Democratic Party, and Fatos Nano who has the support of some members of the Socialist Party, which he once led, but not of current leader, Edi Rama.
To win, one candidate must get the support of three-fifths of the members of parliament. The problem is that no one party or coalition can reach that target without outside support. If no candidate can get that support after the process is completed then, under the constitution, there has to be a general election.
Previously the Socialists had considered boycotting the election in order to force early elections. This, in turn, gave rise to speculation that Berisha and Nano - old political enemies - had done a deal whereby the Democrats would back Nano. These votes, together with those of his allies in the Socialist Party would give him the Presidency and Berisha's government would survive.
The internationals are horrified at the prospect of a general election after all the problems with the recent local elections - problems that remain unresolved. A general election forced on the country as a result of partisan maneuvering over the Presidency would be worse still.
Comments
why dont they just abolish the country altogether, and put it under the management of a private equity firm? KKR comes to mind. Doubtful the price Albania could fetch would be more than 3 times its government income. I'm sure KKR can scrape $6 billion and turn it Albania into a summer camp.
ps. i myself, dont see why they want to get rid of moisiu, the guy has done a fine job! But of course, I am one of those uncorruptable souls and don't see the other point of view where political parties need to pass certain laws in parlaiment no matter how authoritarian and want a president who can close an eye to it.
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Peter Prifti is a senile octogenarian. Besides, to be eligible for the president's office one has to have lived in Albania for the 5 years preceding his presidential bid.
I do agree that Moisiu has done his job well. The only fault I see with him is the deluge of medals he's been awarding, a practice which is quite inflationary to the value of the afforementioned medals.
They must really change that. It rules out most of the non-corrupt politicians...lol.
Yes, the value of medals has been quite inflationary during moisius term in office.
It's a recipe for more chaos. Typical serbo-Berishism. Every time Kosovo has negotiation talks, Berisha wants the same for Albania. Just go to Serbia please and do fake negotiations like your brothers.
What did you guys expect when "Berisha 2" came to power? More mess, nothing achieved, stagnancy for 2 years, people arguing, tension, clan culture, crime going up, democracy index going down, ... etc etc. Big headaches, more poverty!
Topi is a partisan figure and Nano ... oh my God, it would be a nightmare to have both Nano and Berisha in power.