[5] The political opposition accused the government, especially the then-Minister of Interior Affairs of Albania, Saimir Tahiri, of being involved in cannabis production.

[7] However, the government considered the implementation of an electronic voting system impossible due to time constraints, and accused the opposition of blocking Albania's integration into the European Union and the passage of judicial reform.

[citation needed] During the protests, thousands gathered in front of the Prime Minister's Office, accusing the government of trying to manipulate the voting process.

[citation needed] On 25 April, two representatives from the European Parliament, Knut Fleckenstein and David McAllister, came to Tirana to mediate a solution to the ongoing deadlock.

All the party leaders attended the meeting, which continued until the early hours of 18 May with Lulzim Basha and Rama discussing the offered solution package from David McAllister.

[17] The agreement proposed changes in the government cabinet, with one Deputy Prime Minister position to be allotted to the opposition, the postponement of the election date and an electronic voter identification system.