Gazetat — Albanian Newspaper Archive

Socialists prepare for the second part of the Congress

On 15 June, PS will have a new chairman. Nano - honorary chairman The second part of the PS Congress is to begin on 23 June 1996. This concerns a congress that, from 15 May to 26 May, was at the center of the country’s political developments. It is now all the more significant because it comes after the attack on parliament and after the socialists’ decision to remain more determined until they have a new leadership. On 15 June in Tirana, the new leadership of the left, the PS, is expected. It was said yesterday that the right-wing government has decided to run the party until 22 June. For the meantime, the congress focused on 23 June, but the representatives said it should be a congress that brings the political crisis to an end. The day before, and because of the political climate, the socialists are determined to seek changes in the party leadership. The second part of the PS congress will be held on 23 June and is expected to elect the party’s new chairman and its leadership. The question remains open as to what will happen with the current chairman, Fatos Nano, who yesterday came out of pre-trial detention to spend a few days with his family. According to sources close to the socialists, Nano will be elected honorary chairman, while the new chairman will be chosen at the 23 June congress. The socialists want to regain the posts lost in the 26 May elections, although it is not excluded that after the congress there will also be other changes in the party leadership. The delegates’ letters were reviewed during yesterday’s day. Some of them have asked that Nano continue to lead the party, while others have called for a new leadership. In any case, the congress is seen as a decisive moment for the future of the PS. The second congress of the PS will open on 23 June in Tirana, at a time when the country is under political tension after the elections and the clash with power. The delegates are expected to discuss not only leadership, but also the opposition’s strategy for the months ahead.

A tougher stance by the EU toward Tirana

“Elections must be repeated wherever irregularities have been found” Seven additional points on the political crisis in Albania were yesterday conveyed to the Albanian government by the European Union. The document sent to Tirana stresses that elections must be repeated where irregularities have been found, while calling for respect for democratic standards and responsible handling of the situation created after the 26 May 1996 elections. A separate article says the EU is expressing concern over developments in Albania and over the way the political crisis is being managed. On the other hand, the socialists welcomed Brussels’ tougher stance, seeing it as support for their demands to repeat the elections in areas where irregularities were identified. The article emphasizes that the EU report is a signal to the government in Tirana to reconsider its position and accept the need for a political solution. At the same time, it notes that the opposition is determined to continue political pressure and seek concrete steps toward normalizing the situation.

The national literary prize “Velija”

This year’s National Literary Prize “Velija” will be awarded in poetry. The prize for literary creation during 1995 will also be given to writers in Albanian, as part of the overall International Literary Prize “Velija”. The Cultural Foundation “Velija” offers $2,500 for the best prose work and $2,500 for the best poetry publication. The jury of the competition will be made up of well-known literary figures, and the announcement will be made at the end of June. The prize fund for the winner will be divided into two categories: $2,500 for the best prose work and $2,500 for the best poetry publication. The competition is part of the activities of the Cultural Foundation “Velija” and aims to encourage literary creation in the Albanian language.