After several months of suspension, the Democratic Party and the Socialist Party are expected to return on Monday to the Electoral Reform table. But the meeting begins with political clashes from the outset, as there is still no agreement between the sides on the agenda and the direction the process will take.
The meeting resumes amid political tensions
The Special Parliamentary Committee on Electoral Reform is expected to reconvene at a tense political moment, as clashes between the majority and the opposition continue outside institutions as well.
According to publicly released information, the committee’s work is expected to resume without a prior agreement between the sides, placing the process in a climate of distrust from the very beginning.
PD raises doubts over the agenda
According to sources from the Democratic Party headquarters, the meeting agenda has been dictated by the Socialists, who are aiming to conclude the part of the legal framework related to the holding of local elections after the new territorial division with 46 municipalities.
This version suggests that the clash is not only over the content of the reform, but also over political control of its pace and priorities.
What is scheduled for discussion
Two main issues have been included on the agenda: obligations arising from local self-government legislation within the framework of electoral reform, as well as the continuation of the review of the draft law “On the Financing of Political Parties” and the remaining issues of the reform.
So the meeting does not move directly into the most contentious political knots, but initially focuses on the legal package and issues that have remained pending.
Bylykbashi calls for a focus on OSCE/ODIHR recommendations
Committee co-chair Oerd Bylykbashi has called for the work to focus on implementing OSCE/ODIHR recommendations and for the reform to guarantee the separation of the state from the party in power.
This position places the debate on one of the most sensitive points of elections in Albania: the use of the administration and of governing advantage in processes that formally should be equal for competitors.
The clash also remains over the electoral system
The Democratic Party has voiced support for 100% open lists, including for the election of municipal councils. On the other hand, the Socialists have indicated that they are open to discussion on the system, but on the condition that the package of constitutional changes also include reducing the number of MPs from 140 to 101.
The committee is jointly led by PD’s Oerd Bylykbashi and PS’s Damian Gjiknuri, while its mandate ends at the end of November. This narrows the timeframe and increases pressure on a process that is restarting without consensus even on the basic topics.
The return of the two main political forces to the table comes in a climate filled with distrust, where even the agenda is being treated as part of the political battle.
Under these conditions, Monday’s meeting is expected to show not only whether the reform will move forward, but also who is trying to set its limits.