Premier urges the people to topple his rivals

Albania’s president has called on his nation to topple the left-wing government which he accused of violating the country’s constitution and having links to organised crime.

President Ilir Meta hopes people will come to the capital Tirana on March 2, when he plans to sign his first decree against what he says is a “coup d’etat” being carried out by the government through the justice system.

Mr Meta’s call comes as the Balkan nation has been enacting reforms in a bid to launch membership talks with the European Union in the hopes of joining.

“A justice system reform three years ago has failed”

He said a justice system reform approved three years ago to root out bribery and ensure that judges and prosecutors were independent from politics – part of the effort to embrace EU standards – has failed.

Mr Meta’s appeal was apparently a counter-move against the governing Socialist Party of prime minister Edi Rama, which has launched impeachment proceedings against him, stemming from Mr Meta’s attempt to cancel last year’s municipal elections.

Before taking the post almost three years ago, Mr Meta was leader of the Socialist Movement for Integration Party, a small left-wing grouping now in opposition.

He tried to cancel municipal elections last year, arguing that a boycott by centre-right opposition parties made them undemocratic and that he feared a violent civil confrontation.

Election authorities overruled his attempt and the Socialists won most of the elections and also dominate parliament now.