Electoral and Territorial Reform/ OSCE Ambassador in Pogradec: The best model should be chosen, I will not enter into the debate

2026-05-21 12:44:00, Aktualitet CNA

Electoral and Territorial Reform/ OSCE Ambassador in Pogradec: The best model

The OSCE Ambassador to Albania, Michel Tarran, spoke today from Pogradec regarding Electoral and Territorial Reform.

Tarran emphasized that the OSCE is committed to supporting the Special Commission, which is currently working on several important topics.

"The OSCE Presence in Albania is engaged in this work to support the special commission. From the beginning they have worked slowly, they have lost time, but we are glad that they have resumed their work. And, as you said, they have worked on the topic of party financing, which is a very important aspect of political life in a democratic country, such as Albania is now," said Tarran.

According to the ambassador, there are different models for drafting this reform and each country has its own model, while he underlined that recommendations from international reports should also be taken into consideration in this process.

"Regarding the reform, we are not here to propose, to work out a model. There are different models, each country has its own model. And there are different problems with the organization of elections, there are recommendations that are made by the ODIHR every time they come here to observe the elections. We are here to help them implement this and these recommendations. But, once again, this does not mean that we have a preferred system here. Once again, there are different systems. The OSCE is made up of 57 participating countries and each one has its own system, and it is up to the Albanians themselves to decide which system they want to implement here," the ambassador declared.

Asked about the territorial map, Tarran said that so far he is not aware of a new map, adding that it is a debate that must be resolved by the parties.

"I'm not sure you'll go with the new territorial map, I don't know, we'll see, so far I haven't heard that a new map will be ready, I know that there are different opinions here, it's not my job to enter this debate," said Tarran./CNA