Electoral reform/ Oerd Bylykbashi: The SP is trying to dictate the agenda unilaterally; the DP has its package based on EU standards ready

Oerd Bylykbashi, the Democratic Party’s co-chair of the Electoral Reform Commission, said in an interview with News24 that the Socialist Party is seeking to set the reform agenda unilaterally.

He described Monday’s meeting as a provocative move that risked derailing the process. Bylykbashi also objected to the way territorial division was being addressed, saying that a proposal made without agreement is not an OSCE/ODIHR recommendation.

On open lists, the Democratic Party lawmaker said the DP wants them to be 100% open for both Parliament and municipal councils. In his view, Taulant Balla’s position on the issue reflects Prime Minister Edi Rama’s political will.

Bylykbashi said the Democrats are preparing a comprehensive package of concrete proposals and detailed legal provisions for electoral reform. He emphasized that they have three weeks left and that the DP will put forward proposals, not just verbal positions.

“The OSCE/ODIHR recommendations are binding on the Albanian authorities, but they say they will reach a consensus with themselves, as if looking in a mirror. We will submit our package and are open to discussion. We propose open lists for municipal councils and the return of coalitions,” Bylykbashi said.