Meta: I'm about to decree another election date

Meta said he is willing to comply with the competence given to the <x0j” of Article 92 of the Constitution, review the decree for setting the date of local elections and to decree another date for their development.

Full Declaration From the Press Office

Republika President Ilir Meta reiterates deep concern over the constitutional, institutional, political and representation crisis in which the country is located.

According to him, deepening differences between the parties and stubborn for denying this crisis have further exacerbated finding reasonable and sustainable solutions from this situation that is endangering stability and democracy in the country.

“With maximum commitment as head of state, I have repeatedly called for a setback from this conflict path, offering to give any contribution and to do everything that would bring political parties to a solution, which is essentially Albania's national interest and unstopable European travel.

Encouraged by developments yesterday, I welcome and welcome the German Parliament's expressed commitment to resolving the crisis, joining their call to all political sides in Albania to take on decision-making responsibilities for all issues related to democratic stability in the country, in a comprehensive way and without excluding any themes.

Also, as head of state, I have the constitutional responsibility to respect and defend the principles of the Constitution of the Republic of Albania, also counting on every case when these principles are at risk of threatening.

I appreciate the fact that even the German Parliament, this key institution of our strategic partner, has warned that elections without opposition participation are problematic in a democratic way, making it impossible for Albanian citizens to choose among competitive options.

Article 3 of the Constitution of the Republic of Albania, among other things, clearly defines the constitutional obligation for the protection of political pluralism by all. This implies not only the existence of different political parties but also their real opportunity to compete, in equal and unimpeded conditions, in free and fair elections as the only opportunity to respect the constitutional right of Albanian citizens to choose.

I have constitutional responsibility, that within the limits that the Constitution allows me to ensure respect, in shape and in content, of the Constitution. To me democratic coexistence and unity of the people are constitutional principles to protect, before any other secondary or formal arrangement.

I join Germany's Parliament's call that it is the responsibility of political decisionmakers to behave reasonablely in this situation and to try hard to calm the situation, because if this does not happen, the risk of the country closing its path to Europe.

So: with responsibility for the country's European future; with the determination to build a rule of law, democratic and guaranteeing basic human rights and freedoms, with a spirit of tolerance, in the function of peace, prosperity and social solidarity;

I express my commitment to fulfilling the constitutional responsibility to guarantee the unity of the people and the fundamental principles of democratic co-existence, which are threatened by the political crisis in the country.

In this context, I express my institutional readiness, in line with the competence given to me by <x0j” of Article 92 of the Constitution, to review the decree for the appointment of the local election date and to decree another date for their development, in accordance with the will expressed by political parties.

Ensuring constitutional order, public security, country stability and democratic, free and fair elections are constitutional principles that dominate any other formal aspect, including the revision of the election date.

I once again call on the parties to stop rhetoric as a sincere reflection of the German Parliament's appeal.

To prevent justifiable public planning and to engage in sincerity and accountability for finding a solution as quickly and sustainable as possible.

As I stated responsiblely on March 20th by Pogradec, I remain ready for a solution that serves better interest, stability and democracy in the country, to make my mandate as president of the Republic available, if the parties also deem this element important for a comprehensive solution, which would give Albanian citizens the right to elect the president with their free vote. No one should be afraid of the free vote of Albanian citizens standing at the foundation of democratic co-existence, without ensuring which we cannot even start negotiations for membership in the European Union.