May 23 (SeeNews) - Albania's opposition returned to parliament, joining the government in an extraordinary session on Monday to approve key legislation and ministerial replacements in preparation for June 25 general election, according to video footage of the session.
The opposition has been boycotting parliament since February, demanding the resignation of prime minister and leader of Socialist Party (PS) Edi Rama, but agreed to come back to the assembly after last week's compromise agreement reached between Rama and Lulzim Basha, leader of main opposition Democratic Party (PD).
Under the deal, new ministers of the interior, education, health care, social welfare, finance and justice, as well as a deputy prime minister nominated by the opposition, were appointed as members of the caretaker cabinet led by Edi Rama, according to a video file published on the website of local TV broadcaster Ora News. The participation of government ministers nominated by the opposition should ensure that public resources will not be used in an illegal way in the June 25 vote.
The parliament also approved the bodies tasked with vetting judges and prosecutors, removing a major stumbling block before the implementation of justice reform. Reform of Albanian judiciary is a key condition for the caountry to open accession negotiations with the EU.
At Monday's session, parliament also approved tougher penalties for selling and buying of votes, abuse of funds in election campaign and other election-related offences.