Albanians Free to Run for Office--With Communists’ OK

Voters in Albania will be given some freedom of choice, but the ruling Communists will maintain tight control over the election process, that country’s leader says.

In comments made available Saturday, Communist Party leader Ramiz Alia also hinted that wide-ranging changes may be necessary to accelerate economic programs.

“Without combating red tape, without being freed from the old management complexes . . . the hindrances we are coming across cannot be eliminated,” Alia said in a speech to legislators and officials of organizations supervised by the ruling Communist Party.

Albania in recent months has sought to usher in modest reforms and shed its image as a hermit country and Europe’s last bastion of hard-line Stalinism.

Outlining planned election legislation, Alia said it would give all citizens the right to stand for office except those “expressly deprived of this right by law.” He did not indicate who would be prohibited.

Balloting would be secret and there would be two nominees for each precinct. The right to nominate candidates would be granted to the party, trade unions and other groups, Alia said.

But the party controls all public organizations in Albania, and it is unlikely the elections could pose a political threat to current rulers.