Gashi: Fair Representation Law Will Be Put to a Vote When Conditions Are Right

Parliament Speaker Afrim Gashi told Alsat that the draft law on fair and adequate representation will be sent for approval as soon as suitable circumstances are created. He did not give a specific deadline for when this is expected to happen.

“Under the rules of procedure, the Speaker of Parliament decides when favourable conditions exist. I am the Speaker of Parliament, and I will decide when I believe it is best for the law to be voted on,” said Afrim Gashi, Speaker of Parliament.

Asked when exactly he would put the law to a vote, Gashi replied: “It will be within the period ahead,” said Afrim Gashi, Speaker of Parliament.

Regarding opposition claims of obstruction related to the scheduling and cancellation of the Education Committee session, where three draft laws on higher education were to be considered, Gashi denied the accusations. He stressed that responsibility for the matter lies with the committee chair.

“Sometimes I regret that such situations are being misused. The Speaker of Parliament does not convene committee meetings; committee chairs do. So the address is wrong, but if they want to accuse and insult me every day, it is not a problem, they are welcome to do so,” said Afrim Gashi, Speaker of Parliament.

Gashi also responded to opposition accusations that he does not want to hand over security camera footage which, according to them, recorded Stoillkoviq’s clash with MPs. The parliamentary speaker said the law does not allow the release of certain such recordings.

“It is not true, it is absolutely not true. Every recording that is requested is provided, except for those recordings prohibited by law. If someone thinks the law should be broken in order to serve the appetites of portals for exhibitionist news, I am not the right person for that,” said Afrim Gashi, Speaker of Parliament.

The opposition considers Gashi responsible for the latest developments in Parliament. SDSM has requested the security camera footage, while the Albanian opposition yesterday accused the parliamentary speaker of seeking to pass laws in committee without its presence. Two days ago, the Albanian opposition remained in Parliament, demanding that the item concerning the draft law on fair and adequate representation be returned to the agenda, arguing that the government does not have the necessary Badinter majority. /Alsat.mk