European Forum

Ongoing hunger strike of Socialist opposition in Albania

On 1 May twenty-two opposition Socialist lawmakers and 180 supporters launched a hunger strike to press the government to allow a partial recount of an election they claim was marred by large-scale voter fraud. Tens of thousands of Socialist supporters, led by Socialist party (SP)leader and Tirana mayor Edi Rama, held a major protest on 30 April prior to the hunger strike.

The government of Prime Minister Sali Berisha, who narrowly won the June 28 general election controlling 75 of parliament's 140 seats, has called the demand for a vote recount illegal.

Socialists' hunger strike
The hunger strike has now lasted for nine days and the Socialists are determined to continue it for at least a month. Reportedly, on the ninth day tens of thousands of citizens gathered in a major opposition rally, in order to mark Europe Day on 9 May, and to voice their requests made by all the opposition parties across the entire Albanian political spectrum in defence of free and fair elections and the transparency of the June elections. The SP reported that the protesters also voiced their protest against the government’s incompetence in redressing the consequences and effects of the economic crisis in Albania, and the rise of unemployment.

The SP also reported that the strikers’ physical condition is deteriorating with every passing hour. However, on Europe Day, they went all out to display their extraordinary undaunted spirit, while insisting to take their strike through to the end. According to the SP, the protests have nothing to do with the exercise of pressure for changing the result of the elections at the table, but for full transparency so that the next elections will be free and fair.

There is, however, no signal that Prime Minister Sali Berisha is ready to sit and have a dialogue for a resolution of the crisis, despite of appeals made by Edi Rama and the international community. Only recently, Albanian president Bamir Topi consulted the Head of the Delegation of the European Commission in Tirana, the U.S. Ambassador and the Spanish Ambassador.

The SP reported that it is looking forward to a resolution of the crisis through dialogue, which is urgent.

Sources: Socialist Party of Albania; AP News Agency

Open the attached document for a summary of addresses made by, among others, Socialist leader Edi Rama, during the ongoing hunger strike protests.