Local elections, the opposition seeks a change of the rules: from the return of the runoff to the opening of the lists

The Democrats are seeking the return of the runoff for the election of municipal mayors. Such a model provides that a mayor is elected in the first round only if he secures over 50% of the valid votes. Otherwise, the race goes to a runoff between the two most voted candidates. This system, applied in Albania until 2003, is also used today in Kosovo.

“The DP’s idea is that the election of mayors be as the citizens want. We must return the runoff to the election of the mayor, that is, a mayor is elected if he takes over 50% of the legitimate votes, otherwise let the two strongest candidates go to a runoff. Today we have mayors who want to elect in their own trouble,” said Oerd Bylykbashi.

Also, the Democrats will seek the opening of candidate lists for MPs as well.

“We must break the rule of closed lists. All MPs should be elected by the citizens’ vote. The opening of the lists of candidates for MP should go towards 100% opening.

I myself will push forward the idea of opening the lists 100%,” said Bylykbashi for the Albanian Telegraphic Agency.

Achieving these objectives will be very difficult for the opposition, considering that the Socialists rule in 46 of the 61 municipalities, and also enjoy an overwhelming majority in the Assembly.

Officially, the Electoral Reform will start in the week starting October 8, in a session of the ad hoc parliamentary committee.

The majority and the opposition have pledged that the Electoral Reform product will be agreed by consensus.