TIRANA, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Albania will hold the general elections on June 25 according to an agreement reached between the two main political camps here to end the political impasse that lasted for over three months.
Prime Minister Edi Rama and opposition leader Lulzim Basha agreed to make some significant changes to the government cabinet as almost half of the left wing coalition ministers will leave their post to be replaced with new ministers proposed by the opposition.
According to the opposition, this would be a significant step towards the guaranteeing of free and fair elections.
Earlier, the Albanian opposition had requested the formation of a caretaker government and the resignation of PM Rama, but such requests were turned down by the latter.
However, opposition leader Basha agreed Wednesday night to accept the proposal which gives opposition the right to propose some ministers and heads of some important directorates.
Thus, Fatmir Xhafaj, currently minister of Interior, who took office a month ago following the removal of Saimir Tahiri. The minister of justice, health, education and so on will resign. Another government official who will leave is Deputy Prime Minister Niko Peleshi.
All of these positions will be filled with caretaker ministers who will be named by the opposition.
Rama has offered the opposition five key posts in agencies governing portfolios such as power distribution, property registration and rural agricultural development.
The opposition will also propose the chairman of central elections body and the ombudsman.
