Lulzim Basha

Albanian opposition representatives have called on citizens to take to the streets on February 18 to participate in what they called "a big day for democracy".

Albania's main opposition party the Democratic Party, PD, will gather citizens from across the country in the capital Tirana for anti-government protests on Saturday afternoon, four months ahead of parliamentary elections set for June 18.

"Four years of arrogance, abandonment, and chaos," was the message carried by the party's promotional video for the protest.

People all over the Balkans have taken to social media to show solidarity with the massive anti-government protest in Romania - but also to regret the lack of will for people in their own countries to do the same.

Albania's main opposition Democratic Party, PD, and Libra, a new party established by the former Socialist MP Ben Blushi, are turning to the internet to help them select the MPs that will run on their lists for the June 18 general elections.

PD spokeswoman Ina Zhupa told BIRN that in the first days of this online process the response had been very high.

The leader of Albania's opposition Democratic Party, Lulzim Basha, has criticised the departure of the two editors and the layoffs of several other journalists, saying it was a bad news for the media.

He accused some media outlets in Albania of making an alliance with the government to gain power and money.

Analysts have criticised Albania's opposition Democratic Party for seeking to block the setting of a date for the opening of EU accession negotiations.

The Democrats have insisted that the government must first implement a law that seeks to oust people with criminal pasts from politics, and must also hold free and fair elections next year.

Albanian opposition MPs refused to take part in a vote on a key law sought by the EU on Thursday, after accusing Socialist Prime Minister Edi Rama of deliberately turning the country into a "narco state".

Prime Minister Edi Rama and Lulzim Basha, leader of the opposition Democratic Party [PD], failed to find an agreement for judicial reform after three hours of negotiations on Monday evening.

Albania's opposition Democratic Party leader Lulzim Basha travels on Monday to the US with key aides for meetings with members of Congress and US officials to discuss democracy and the rule of law in Albania.

However, BIRN has learned that on the eve of the visit the Democratic Party signed a contract with the lobbying firm Podesta Group to secure access to Washington's top echelons.

Kerry met Prime Minister Edi Rama during his three-hour visit to Tirana on Sunday, emphasising the need for Albania to enact the judicial reform package that is currently under discussion in order to boost the fight against corruption.