Albanian Protests

Supporters of Albania's opposition party have set up camp to demand a recount in the country's general election.

Socialist party members and supporters spent the night in tents outside the office of conservative Prime Minister Sali Berisha, after marching through the capital Tirana.

They demanded that a number of ballot boxes that were declared invalid in the June election should be opened. Demonstrators want a probe into allegations of vote rigging and a recount of the poll.

The protests follow an agreement by EU foreign ministers that Albania should be considered for membership of the union. The Balkan country has been told by European ambassadors that it must be more serious about fighting corruption.

Protesters demand a recount

Government opponents, including socialists and some centre right party supporters, marched along the cities main boulevard waving placards. Screens showing anti-government documentaries were set up in the square where the protests have been taking place, along with signs saying "'Open the ballot boxes" and "Where is my voice?"

The socialists have refused to enter parliament until the ballot boxes that were ruled "irregular" by election authorities are considered.

"Now, more than ever, we want to prove that the freedom of the vote and the right to count it honestly cannot be bought, sold or negotiated," Socialist leader and mayor of Tirana Edi told the crowd.

"Unless the ballot boxes are opened, we will not just refuse to return to parliament, but shall escalate our protest," he said.

Claims of corruption

Rama claimed that Prime Minister Berisha has restricted the freedom of judges and the media. Both political adversaries accuse each other of corruption.

Berisha told parliament on Thursday that there would be no recount. "Opening the ballots will not happen either here on land or in the sky," he said. "This coalition is going to run its full term."

Albania's conservative Democratic Party holds 70 of Albania's 140 parliamentary seats, and is governing with the support of political allies. The socialists won 66 seats, the closest since the country abandoned communism in 1992.

Observers from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe OSCE said that despite improvements in the country's election process, there had been "violations".


rc/AFP/AP/Reuters
Editor: Andreas Illmer