FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
The May 11 elections are being followed with interest by our country's international partners.
Over the past weeks, international interest in the May 11 parliamentary elections has been seen in meetings held at the British and then German Embassy with the head of SPAK, the Attorney General, and the head of the CEC.
A Western diplomat answers several questions related to this polarized electoral process as expressed the day before by the OSCE-ODIHR observation mission.
Nicholas Abbott, the British Ambassador to Tirana, spoke to "TCH" regarding the electoral process so far, emphasizing that the novelty of these elections is the involvement of SPAK through a strategy to prevent and investigate potential electoral crimes. He also said that he supports the justice institutions in the fight against electoral crimes.
Interview:
Ambassador Abbott, I would like to begin by asking you: we are approaching the end of the electoral campaign. From the meetings you have had with the head of SPAK, the Attorney General, and the chairman of the Central Election Commission, have you identified any concerns?
First of all, thank you for the invitation to this interview. This is undoubtedly an important period for Albania due to the upcoming elections.
I think the work that these three institutions are doing is very important. We have provided support, as have many members of the international community, and it is clear that there are some issues that accompany elections — but that happens everywhere, including in the United Kingdom. This is an important moment for any democracy.
It is therefore encouraging to see these institutions collaborating and being recognized for their ability to fulfill their duties with dedication.
Ambassador, can we identify any problems?
I'm thinking that this is an election campaign, as you've seen, there are discussions about vote buying, voter intimidation, disinformation.
But I am glad that the relevant authorities and institutions are addressing these issues.
Do you think SPAK's strategy against electoral crimes is working?
I think that any involvement of justice institutions to ensure proper oversight of the electoral process is an important step. We should not assume that everything always goes as desired. But I see a real commitment from Albanian institutions and authorities to make changes.
These elections are important. Albania is in an important process for membership in the European Union. There is a lot of international attention to what is happening in Albania. As you know, there is an observation mission here from the OSCE/ODIHR.
We have also contributed as the United Kingdom and I think it is very important that these elections go as well as possible.
Lini një Përgjigje