TIRANA, July 2 (Xinhua) -- According to Albanian President Ilir Meta, general and presidential elections should be held to solve the country's political crisis.
Speaking at a press conference here on Tuesday, Meta denounced Sunday's local elections held in Albania, calling them a "trap", and called for new elections, which he said would provide a solution.
According to Meta, Albania should hold general and presidential elections on Oct. 13, the date which he had earlier decreed for the local elections and which the ruling majority eventually rejected.
"On October 13, there must be parliamentary and presidential elections. This is the only solution to this crisis in order for Albanians not to leave the country. This is the solution that I offer and I wouldn't feel ashamed if the people do not vote for me," Meta said.
He said that he was ready to run again for the same post on Oct. 13.
According to Meta, last Sunday's municipal elections and the results to be made public by the country's Central Election Commission (CEC) are "illegal and absurd".
On June 10, through a presidential decree, Meta decided to cancel the scheduled June 30 local elections, saying they would be undemocratic without the participation of Albania's opposition, which boycotted them.
However, the ruling Socialist majority and the Albanian lawmakers called Meta's decision "unconstitutional" and voted against it.
Albania held the elections for mayors and local council members on Sunday, and the Socialist Party is expected to receive most of the votes since the majority of the Socialist candidates were unopposed or opposed by candidates of small political parties.
The results of the municipal elections are expected to be made public by the CEC when all the votes are counted.
Soon after the elections, which were generally peaceful, the main opposition Democratic Party and the Socialist Movement for Integration claimed that the elections were illegal and a "farce" considering the low turnout of 21.6 percent.
