The new Assembly of Albania started on Friday afternoon the proceedings of its XVII Legislature at the conclusion of the parliamentary elections of July 3.

Under the national anthem, the first session of the new parliament was opened by the oldest legislator of the Assembly and chairman of Environmental Agrarian Party, Lufter Xhuveli, who, under the country's laws, will conduct the parliament till the new parliament speakers is elected.

Xhuveli wished at the session the other lawmakers a good start in their work and expressed the conviction that the spirit of cooperation would dominate in the new parliament.

During the session, the lawmakers voted the composition of the Mandate Verification Commission that will handle their verification.

President of the Republic Alfred Moisiu decreed Thursday sitting of parliament shortly after the Central Elections Commission announced the final results of the July 3 parliamentary elections.

According to the results, the Democratic Party led by former President Sali Berisha won 56 seats of the total 140 ones, beating the ruling Socialist Party, which got 42 seats.

Under the country's laws, the Democratic Party won the cabinetmaking right. But without a majority of the total 140 seats, it needs to cooperate with other parties to gain enough support of deputies for forming the new cabinet.

The official sources from the Democratic Party said the party has got more than 80 deputies' support and will form a new joint government with other parties, which needs the approval of the parliament.

Source: Xinhua