Political Institutions Underdeveloped: Albania s political institutions remain relatively weak. A clear lack of dialogue and an unwillingness to compromise among the country s main political parties, in addition to ongoing distrust of and failure to accept national election results (although the ---- elections were an improvement), has often paralysed parliament, thereby constraining the government s ability to pursue a coherent policy agenda. ...Political Institutions Underdeveloped: Albania s political institutions remain relatively weak. A clear lack of dialogue and an unwillingness to compromise among the country s main political parties, in addition to ongoing distrust of and failure to accept national election results (although the ---- elections were an improvement), has often paralysed parliament, thereby constraining the government s ability to pursue a coherent policy agenda. Moreover, public dissatisfaction with the government s inability to raise living standards, particularly in the face of endemic corruption, continues to risk frequent outbreaks of public unrest. ...Indeed, for all of the country s shortcomings, it is important to note that Albania possesses several characteristics which continue to buffer underlying political stability. Perhaps most importantly, as an -- Business Monitor International Ltd www albania Q- ---- eu accession Delayed?
...Although it is likely that Albania will gain EU candidate status in ----, full accession to the bloc remains years away. Further integration will be restricted by ongoing corruption and the country s deteriorating fis- cal position, which will continue undermining political stability over the next few years. Although it is likely that Albania will be granted EU candidate status in June ----, full EU membership will not be achieved this decade. Our long-held view that Albania s progress imple- menting structural reforms would be rewarded looks increasingly likely to play out (see EU Candidacy Looking Likely, Amidst Risks , February --), after German Chancellor Angela Merkel hinted at supporting the country at an April meeting in Germany with Albania Prime Minister Edi Rama. This follows on from the country receiving vocal support from Poland, Ireland and Croatia for its candidacy bid. ...Reflecting the scale of the problem facing the ruling Socialist Party in improv- ing the situation, Albania fell three places to ---th position (out of --- countries) in Transparency International s Corruption Perceptions Index in ----, one of the lowest ranking countries in Europe. Progress tackling graft will also have limited impact on im- proving Albania s international reputation, which continues to be hindered by perceptions that the country has struggled to - Business Monitor International Ltd www albania Q- ----
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