Corruption, the burned campaign card
The DP and the SP have lost the right to preach against corruption
Local government is undergoing a reform unprecedented in the past. Almost all mayors and commune chairmen have failed to find understanding with the parties that brought them to power four years ago.
Despite being in opposition, the SP expects a comeback in these elections. In July 1992, the SP managed to secure around 52 percent of local government. Having won most of Albania’s cities and provinces, the SP is the first to be held responsible for the poor running of affairs at the local level.
In this campaign, Albania’s two largest parties have shown total distrust toward the people they themselves selected four years ago. The candidates for mayor have, in one way or another, lost the confidence of their parties, which have given them not even the slightest chance to face once again the people they have been unable to serve for four years. The replacement of mayors and commune chairmen points not only to their performance, but also to the bad odor left by local leaders.
During this campaign it is plain to see that corruption has taken root precisely in local government, as a result of the pitiful administration there. Thus, replacing people will involve not only the heads of local government, but also the administrations behind them. These administrations had adapted remarkably well to their appointed bosses; for four years they knew how to manage their bosses’ purses beautifully, naturally fattening their own as well.
The wholesale replacement of people is not being mentioned at all by the major political forces. The SP has kept quiet as the winner of the past four years, while the DP has found an excuse in the lack of experience of its people. The DP had not used such an excuse before, leaving a veil of suspicion behind.
One of the main problems facing today’s candidates is local corruption, which has this country by the throat. For almost four years, everything in local government has been obtained by paying bribes, even simple permits that have enriched the local officeholders who have taken over the offices. This is no longer a matter of inexperienced people, but of embezzlement experts who have grown fat and amassed wealth on the back of a stamp. People’s trust in their officials no longer exists; therefore, in this campaign, the winner will not be the one who speaks eloquently about water, electricity and kiosks, but the one who manages to restore lost trust. Nevertheless, one thing is certain for now: the SP and the DP have burned this card.