The recent municipal elections in the southern Albanian municipality of Himare have raised concerns in Athens regarding the integrity of the electoral process. The victory of Vangjel Tavo, supported by Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, was accompanied by complaints from the Greek minority about voter list manipulation and denial of the right to vote.
Opposition groups reported that thousands of voters were unable to cast their ballots due to expired IDs, a situation not seen in previous elections. Athens has urged Tirana to respect the European acquis and address the issues raised regarding the election.
The removal of the town’s previous mayor, Fredi Beleri, a member of the ethnic Greek minority, has also sparked allegations of political motivation. Despite the current diplomatic challenges with North Macedonia, many in Greece believe in taking a principled stand on the matter.
This situation may impact Albania’s future EU accession negotiations, emphasizing the importance of upholding democratic principles. The outcome of these events remains uncertain, but Athens is adamant about addressing the concerns raised by the Greek minority in Albania.
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