The Socialist Party and the Democratic Party are expected to return on Monday to the Electoral Reform table after several months of interruption. The Special Parliamentary Committee will resume its work, although there is still no agreement between the parties on the agenda to be discussed.
According to sources from the Democratic Party, the agenda has been set by the Socialists, who are calling for the completion of the legal framework for holding local elections following the approval of the new territorial division, which provides for the country to be divided into 46 municipalities.
Two main issues are foreseen for Monday’s meeting. The first relates to the obligations arising from the legislation on local self-government within the framework of the Electoral Reform. The second concerns the continuation of discussions on the draft law “On the Financing of Political Parties” and the other elements left pending by the reform.
Democratic co-chair of the Committee, Oerd Bylykbashi, is calling for the work to focus on implementing the recommendations of the OSCE/ODIHR. According to him, the changes should also aim to guarantee the separation of the state from the party in power.
Differences between the PD and the PS also exist regarding the electoral system. The Democrats support 100% open lists, including the election of members of municipal councils.
The Socialists, on the other hand, have expressed readiness to discuss the electoral system, but demand that the package of constitutional amendments also include the proposal to reduce the number of MPs from 140 to 101.
The Electoral Reform Committee is co-chaired by Oerd Bylykbashi of the PD and Damian Gjiknuri of the PS. The mandate of this committee ends at the end of November.