European Forum

Albanian Deputy Prime Minister Ilir Meta resigns; opposition calls for protest to overthrow government

Albanian Deputy Prime Minister, minister of economy and leader of the Socialist Movement for Integration (LSI) resigned following the publication of a video allegedly showing him and former minister of economy Dritan Prifti discussing corrupt deals. At a press conference Meta said he presented his resignation to Prime Minister Sali Berisha (Democratic Party) in order to face justice and prove his innocence: “I resigned because in order to face justice it’s very important that I forfeit my government duties in order to appear before prosecutors as a regular citizen”.

The transcripts of the videotape, the authenticity of which has not been verified yet, show Meta asking the former minister of economy Dritan Prifti to intervene over a hydropower plant concession tender, naming an alleged recompense by a businessman of a seven per cent stake and €700,000 bribe. Meta also allegedly asks Prifti to hire activists of LSI. Furthermore, Meta brags in the videotape about influencing a Supreme Court trial over the same hydro-power plant concession. In media appearances over the last two days Meta has denied any wrongdoing and has attempted to explain some of his comments in the videotape. At the time of recording Meta served as deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs.

SPA calls for protest to overthrow government
Opposition leader Edi Rama has called for a massive protest to overthrow the government of Prime Minister Sali Berisha: “those who want to be saved should rise up,” Rama said during a speech at the general assembly of SPA. “Berisha and his deputy, every additional day that they put off their resignation and early elections, they only further damage their position before the people,” Rama added.

Source: BIRN and Reuters