(ANSA-AP) - TIRANA, JUNE 27 - Albania's president has decided
that local elections that were due this weekend will instead be
held on Oct. 13, in a move that's likely to further strain
relations between Ilir Meta and the ruling Socialists.
Meta, who used his powers earlier this month to cancel the
elections on Sunday, said the intention of the new election is
"to give a positive message to the European partners." The
elections will take place a few days before the European Union
decides whether to launch full membership negotiations with
Albania.
Prime Minister Edi Rama insists the elections take place as
scheduled Sunday. The center-right Democratic Party-led
opposition of Lulzim Basha has been holding protests since
mid-February over allegations of vote-rigging and government
links to organized crime, and asked for an early national
election. (ANSA-AP).
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