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Europe
Albanian president confirms Feb 18 local poll
2007-01-15
Posted on the off-chance that Europe still matters.
TIRANA - Albanian President Alfred Moisiu on Sunday confirmed local elections would take place February 18 after rival parties reached a deal that averted a political crisis in the Balkan country. Moisiu made the announcement in a statement a day after 12 political parties agreed that the local elections should be held in February following protracted talks that he had chaired between them.

A week ago, the countryÂ’s electoral commission had warned the polls could not be held on January 20 as previously scheduled due to persistent disputes between the government and opposition.

The accord followed a joint appeal on Thursday by Prime Minister Sali Berisha, whose Democrats lead the countryÂ’s right-leaning parties, and his fierce opponent, Socialist leader and former president Fatos Nano.

The local elections are regarded as a test of the political maturity of Albania, which aspires to eventual membership of the European Union and the NATO military alliance. Mainly Muslim Albania has been warned by Brussels that free and fair elections are essential for progress on the road towards EU membership.
Posted by:Steve White

#1  The choices are between: Islamists#1 and Islamists#2.
Posted by: Sneaze Shaiting3550   2007-01-15 01:07  

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