Since the 2012 Electoral Reform, after several prolonged\nand failed attempts, there were expectations for an integral and inclusive\nelectoral reform from the Assembly of Albania and the political leadership. A reform\nthat would not be simply an improvement of the legal framework, but a thorough\nand complete process that would establish the path for the return of confidence\nof citizens in democracy and the rule of law. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Attempts to reform, as per the commitments of political\nstakeholders and appeals of domestic stakeholders and strategic partners of the\ncountry, were de facto followed by a periodicity of political crisis that\nlasted several years. During the last of these crisis, which has set some\nprecedents of a transitional democracy in crisis, among the most dramatic\nelements can be mentioned the functioning of the Assembly with a reduced number\nof MPs and the passing local governance control on the hands of a single\npolitical party. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a situation of total lack of political dialogue,\nfurther exacerbated by the lack of time vis a vis the upcoming parliamentary\nelections, the Political Council was found as a solution to address, to the\nextent possible, electoral issues. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This model resulted to be disappointing, with respect to\nexpectations, both regarding its functioning and the topics discussed. <\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n However, even more concerning is the fact that this model\nseems to trend toward failure, as the discourse of the political leadership\nremains focused on the narrow agendas of the two main political parties, <\/strong>threatening\nto undo even the minimal possible contribution. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Coalition for\nReforms, Integration, and Consolidated Institutions (KRIIK Albania)<\/strong>, as a civic actor that has contributed\nin continuity with its opinions and expertise throughout the current and\nprevious reform processes, and with a wide experience in observing in continuity\nseveral electoral processes, under the present circumstances, believes that\nalthough the expectations from the activity of the Political Council are\nminimal at this stage, it\u2019s activity must conclude in a legal text, to the\nextent this text is reached under political consensus. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n At a minimum, the activity of the Political Council, should\nmark the first successful step in establishing the political dialogue and\nreturn of institutional dialogue,<\/strong> which is the only path towards solving\ndeadlocks and problems in a democracy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This small positive step, after several backwards steps,\nmust ultimately aim to an integral and thorough electoral reform for many\nemergent issues. Moreover, this objective must receive as soon as possible support\nfrom a clear expression of political commitment by the leadership of the\npolitical parties that it will continue to be followed as primary task for the\nnew legislature of the Assembly, being elected in the next elections. <\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Under the same rationale, KRIIK calls upon the parties\nthat, beyond the progress of the Political Council, in the spirit and in\ncontinuity of the dialogue, to continue the exchange of opinions and discussions\nfor future potential changes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n KRIIK believes that, the starting point for a successful\nelectoral reform that would aim to return the confidence of citizens, remains\nthe reformation of the Central Election Commission and transparency of\npolitical finance. <\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n While other matters are also crucial, they are\npreconditioned by the above. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It seems clear that the fulfillment of the standards in\nthe next electoral process will, again, depend on political will, and not on an\ninstitutional-legal mechanism above the parties, that serves as a guarantee. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Thus, as co-authors and co-responsible for the next\nelectoral process, KRIIK calls in advance on the political leadership to show\nmaturity in the pre-electoral and electoral period, aiming to avoid all the\nnegative and anti-legal precedents that have marked elections thus far. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Especially, in absence of the relevant legal framework, KRIIK\ncalls on the parties and other political stakeholders to provide full transparency\non political finance, <\/strong>starting immediately and continuing with a genuine\npost-electoral audit. <\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n It is deemed\nthat the good functioning of these two mechanisms, beyond the status quo, could\nhelp restore the trust of citizens in the electoral process, as well as the\npolitical and institutional processes related to it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Transparency of political\nfinance, detailed, and provided timely and in advance, is the best way for\npolitical stakeholders to make known to the Albanian citizens the interests\nthat tie politicians and on what basis are built electoral offers<\/strong>. Full\ntransparency would also reflect the sincerity of their will and their\ncommitment to the destiny of the country. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Trust in democracy and institutions\ncannot be earned through calls or, even worse, empty rhetoric, but by\ndemonstrating full financial transparency of political parties, as well as\nother political actions, as well as full transparency of the activity of\nelectoral institutions and other involved stakeholders. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To conclude, calling that the\npolitical agreement not be the seal for the certification of the electoral\nresult and with it of electoral crime, KRIIK calls upon and appeals for the\nengagement of the political leadership to undertake a post=electoral audit,\nimmediately after the next elections. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Bringing into attention the fact that the audit of the electoral process has been a matter of debate at the conclusion of each electoral process, the parties have now all the needed time available to start discussing on the technicalities of performing such audit after the next electoral process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A\nthorough audit process will, furthermore, serve to understand better the\nneeds and depth of intervention for the electoral reform that is expected from\nthe next legislature,<\/strong> immediately after the next parliamentary elections. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Tirana, May 31, 2020<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n