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Tomorrow: the 1st Congress

Nesër: Kongresi i 1 -rë

Domani: il 1° Congresso

Original newspaper scan

Original newspaper scan

Interview with the chairman of the Republican Party, Prof. Sabri Godo, given to the editor of the newspaper "Republika", Mr. Viti Kajpe • Up to 20 years of democracy? Have we managed to have one party? Which party? How many leaders? • [?] and [?] has left it in a state of decay? • The Republican Party has recently entered into a justified polemic with the Democratic Party over property issues? And not only over those issues? Do you think this polemic was justified? • In this period you are facing strong criticism? Are there people who call you opportunists and revanchists? Does that worry you? In an interview given to "Republika" by Prof. Sabri Godo, chairman of the Republican Party, he stated among other things: The Republican Party is a party created in the manner and form of a group of friends that it brings together. It has been a not very large party, but its efforts have given it a much greater influence than the number of its members, which means that it has few members but clear ideas, a clear position, personality, and clear thinking. Quite rightly, at the beginning of its existence, the Republican Party had two important things. That was: the defense of property, the market economy, and the defense of human life, because as you know there was a difficult period when human lives, for all sorts of reasons, were sold very cheaply in Albania. And we have tried to defend them. Did Republika take an unjustified stance? Or are you calling it a good party? What do you think of it? The Republican Party? It cannot be said that it is entirely right? On the contrary, it is becoming more and more convincing. If in the past the Democratic Party had concerns about economic reform, in reality we were inclined to follow one path. As a party and in society we see that the property issue is progressing very slowly and is dragging on. If for anything the Republican Party should be criticized, it is for the fact that it has not been ready to defend the issue of property and the market economy. It is not a party that has found good solutions for all problems, but it is a party that adheres to democracy, the market economy, the rule of law, and human life. Should the Republican Party not have followed the example of the opposition? If it has not emphasized the government's mistakes enough? I think the Republican Party has been one of the parties that has spoken most about the government's mistakes. It has spoken more meaningfully than others? Why? Because it makes more sense to tell the truth, to do the truth. I must say that in the sense of self-democracy, the Republican Party has had correct positions. Since you are in the process of forming the Democratic Party? If so, how do you assess it? Democracy is not a whip? In short, the important thing is for it to be established and for things to move. Albania needs a policy with horizon. It should be borne in mind that in a country where thought has been suppressed, where a common dream has been lacking, what difficulty the elaboration of a clear political project brings. We must make every effort to create clear projects. Is the Democratic Party feeling this problem? It has benefited from the fact that it is in power, but it has a responsibility for this. Some people continue to think that the Democratic Party is a strong party. Such a party, if it does not stand on principles, cannot make democracy. In his interview, Sabri Godo, among other things, also mentioned the major problems of the Albanian transition, the need for strong institutions, the role of private property, and the protection of citizens' lives.