Former Socialist lawmaker joins junior coalition partner

TIRANA, Nov. 1 – Vangjel Tavo, a lawmaker elected under the banner of the Socialist Party, switched sides Sunday, moving to the leftist Socialist Movement for Integration of Deputy Prime Minister Ilir Meta. He had been an independent since October.
Tavo said the move was a result of his displeasure with how the Socialists were led by Edi Rama. He also mentioned problems of the Socialist Party branch at his southern town of Gjirokastra.
Tavo’s move is the latest in a series that have made the Albania parliament resemble the pre-season football player market. It started with an MP from the governing Democrats moving to the Socialists and now Tavo leaves the opposition in the other direction.
The governing Democrats and their allies have 75 votes while the Socialists 65. But such number may not be accurate for long considering such moves.
The parties are not contesting such moves, or asking the Constitutional Court if the lawmakers are entitled to move political groupings at a time when they are chosen from a list set at the beginning of the elections from the party.
Albania has a proportional election system and lawmakers are not voted for directly.