Hahn proposes holding a referendum if reform is not adopted

The EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Johannes Hahn, proposed that if the judicial reform fails to be adopted, the country should go for a referendum.  He also noted that this option can postpone the accession of negotiations with the EU by a year and a half. During his speech at the European Parliament’s Foreign Issues Committee, Hahn urged the Albanian politicians to respect the people’s will, as 91% of citizens are in favor of judicial reform’s adoption.

“There is a deadline for the adoption of this reform, which is Thursday of this week. A decision should be made within this time. I have to say that if there is no agreement in Parliament, there is the possibility of holding a referendum, as more than 90% of Albanian citizens are in favor of adopting the reform. However, this alternative will postpone the accession of negotiations by at least one year”.

Furthermore, Hahn stressed that the EU would prefer that the reform be adopted with consensus, on Thursday in Parliament. He added that the process should be transparent and that leaders should be open with citizens to increase reliability in their ranks. In closing, Hahn emphasized that failure to adopt the judicial reform could undermine the country’s sustainability in the process of membership in the European Union.

Chairman of the Committee, Elmar Brok, also said it is very important that the adoption of this reform be made with consensus and dialogue between the main political actors. Meanwhile, MEP Tanja Fajon, said she has followed the path of reform closely; that the EU is ready to help, but progress must come from local politicians.