Opposition lawmakers walked out of a parliamentary committee meeting on electoral reform after failing to reach an agreement with the ruling majority over the agenda.

Democratic Party co-chair Oerd Bylykbashi called for discussions to prioritize OSCE/ODIHR recommendations, particularly measures to prevent the misuse of state resources during election campaigns and ensure a level playing field for political parties. He also reiterated the opposition’s demand for fully open electoral lists in both parliamentary and municipal council elections.

The opposition said it had prepared proposals on separating the state from the electoral process, but left the meeting after its request to change the agenda was rejected.

Ruling Socialist Party co-chair Damian Gjiknuri accused the opposition of delaying the reform process, saying it had failed to submit concrete proposals on restricting the use of state power in elections.

The second phase of the reform focuses on local government powers and financial arrangements, following the approval of a new administrative map reducing Albania’s municipalities to 46. The special parliamentary committee has a six-month mandate, with three existing local government laws also expected to be amended.