Gashi: Laws requiring the Badinter majority will be put to a vote; the obstacle is political

The new parliamentary session will begin with a calendar that includes at least four sittings by the end of September, while securing the necessary majority to pass laws requiring the Badinter majority remains at the center of attention. Parliament Speaker Afrim Gashi said that these laws will be put to a vote, although it remains unclear whether they will secure the necessary votes because of the procedural blockade by the opposition DUI.

Among the initiatives requiring the Badinter majority are laws on equitable representation, higher education and local self-government. The first two parliamentary sittings have been scheduled for September 2 and 11.

Gashi said that the problem was not simply technical, but was primarily related to politics. “This issue has more of a political dimension than a procedural one. As Speaker of Parliament, I am trying to take all necessary measures. I am in contact with all parliamentary groups. We are trying to find a solution. If the issue enters the political sphere, then it is discussed at another political level. I agree that this issue needs to be resolved, but I leave it to the political actors to resolve it,” he said during an informational meeting with journalists.

Asked whether a meeting of political leaders could help resolve the situation, the parliament speaker said he could not predict whether such a meeting would be effective. Nevertheless, he stressed that dialogue and talks always remained an option.

“You cannot find a solution if you do not sit down and talk,” Gashi said, stressing that dialogue should play a greater role in the country’s political culture, particularly in relations with the opposition.

The deputy coordinator of the DUI parliamentary group was also present at today’s coordination meeting. So far, however, it has not been disclosed whether the party’s lawmakers will undertake another blockade.

“This is not a blockade, but an abuse of the Rules of Procedure, but we will see how they react,” Gashi said.

Regarding the possibility of early parliamentary elections if the obstacles continue, Gashi said they could take place only if 61 lawmakers voted to dissolve Parliament. He added that he supported holding regular parliamentary elections and would not allow abuse of the Rules of Procedure to lead to early elections.