Brussels, 19/05/2011 (Agence Europe) - Commission President José Manuel Barroso and Commissioner Füle, who are currently visiting the Balkans, have decided to postpone their visit to Albania initially scheduled for Friday 20 May due to the explosive political situation in that country. The Democrat Party in power and the Socialist opposition are currently waging a power war in the capital, Tirana, further to the municipal elections on 8 May. “The tensions related to the ongoing vote count would undoubtedly affect the focus of the talks (…) and are not conducive to productive meetings”, the Commission spokesman said on 19 May. On Wednesday, the Albanian electoral commission, which is dominated by the Democrat Party, ordered a partial recount of votes for electing the Mayor of Tirana. According to the regional electoral commission of Tirana, the opposition leader, outgoing mayor Edi Rama, won the vote but is only about 15 votes ahead of the right-wing candidate, the former interior minister, Lulëzim Basha. The opposition fears that a recount will overturn the result to the benefit of the government candidate. On Wednesday, Catherine Ashton called on both parties to overcome their differences and to find a solution. She called on the political decision-makers to “support the finalisation of the election process calmly, constructively and with a focus on the future”. (H.B./transl.jl)