Rrapush Xhaferri and the boys were paid a salary. Who was their employer?

Different Albanian political groups offer different answers to the question: Did Albanians win or lose in the June 29 vote? The winners, that is, the Socialists, proclaim: Albanians overturned the most savage dictatorship. For them, that is the victory of June 29. Meanwhile, the Democrats loudly offer excuses: Albanians will soon understand that they made a mistake by bringing the Socialists to power. From the camp of the United Right comes this message to the electorate: You wretches, who did not count us as a real alternative to the two big parties... But in fact, did Albanians lose or win in these elections? There can be no definitive answer to the question. The elections taking place without many incidents can be considered a victory (although there were wounded and dead). Berisha’s message and his announcement that he would resign can be considered a victory, just as recognition of the elections by international bodies can be considered a victory. But what did Albanians lose in these elections? The loss lies in voting culture. The Left’s landslide victory shows that the Albanian electorate knows how to vote only in black and white. In a way, we lost the chance to have a multi-party parliament. In a way, March 22 was repeated, and what was pursued was not so much stability and the consolidation of democracy as Berisha’s overthrow at any cost. Albanians confronted Berisha, but forgot that there were other parties too, which had proved they deserved a place in parliament and government. It seems the Socialists are still in shock at their landslide victory and are showing signs that they do not know what to do with it. They were left trying to rub Berisha’s face in it: “You can’t wipe the smile off our faces!” Berisha’s statement was cynical, but the Socialists’ retort was just as cynical. In fact, Albanians cannot smile while the country is still sliding downhill, while calamity continues, while people are still losing their lives. The Socialists have forgotten that their victory also contains the Otranto tragedy, around 2,000 lives lost, the anti-pyramid-scheme protests, and the promises to return the money that was lost. Albanians must handle June 29 with maturity and care, aiming to stop the downward spiral and return to normal life. The high cost in human lives must not be forgotten for a moment. After statements recognizing the elections, the parties are now kicking and lashing out. The DP is making the rerun of the elections in 30 districts a condition for recognizing them—but what if a rerun is not accepted? Meanwhile, the monarchists are openly threatening. These are signs of tension and a worsening political climate. A little more, and this politics will kill and destroy again. Politicians: Be careful; we are not a large population that can go on being used for experiments.

Today, 7 years after July 2 — page 10 The Court curses the SP. The DP hides behind the monarchists — page 11 The new President, a mediator — page 3

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TIRANA

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