The companies’ interest payments are now more secure. What will happen to “Populli” and “Xhaferri”? “Gjallica” gets its breathing back. Fitim Gërxhalliu speaks to “Republika” Photo: Agron Kurti

Interest payments are being made at the counters and more money is being deposited Yesterday, Vlora was completely shrouded beneath the weight of an anxiety called “Gjallica.” Crowds of people had spent the night in front of the distribution counters of this company’s agency, perhaps the most powerful in southern Albania. At 6:30 in the morning, thousands of people had taken over the building where “Gjallica’s” money sleeps. A notice put up by the company late at night on the walls of the area where the building stood informed citizens that yesterday only interest on contracts dated December 22, 23 and 26 would be paid, while today it would be paid on those dated December 24, 25 and 27. In the days to come, business would proceed normally. The notice informed creditors that during these last few days only monthly interest would be paid. The creditors’ capital would be paid at the beginning of next year. The company’s counters opened at 10:30 in the morning. The delay caused rumors of a bankruptcy event. This idea was also reinforced by the number of police officers patrolling the company’s building. But everything fell apart when the cashiers began paying out the interest. Despite the large number of creditors, absolute calm and strict order prevailed. The company’s many employees had been stationed at every counter to maintain order and the queue. Each female teller was under the watch of a company employee and under the scrutiny of cameras. This prevented out-of-turn transactions or breaches of the internal rules set by the company’s directors the night before last. The board’s marathon meeting had established many new internal rules, which were difficult to decipher from the outside. After the counters opened, there was not a single protest, and it was even interesting to see what would happen next. Many creditors whose contracts had ended renewed them for a long term. Quite a few others, as if to defy the word “crisis,” deposited more money. This kind of stubbornness seemed to defy those responsible for the situation that had arisen, who were not the only ones being talked about.

Photo: Agron Kurti

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