“Limpreht” message and the PS’s lehtët “Limpreht” message and the PS’s lehtët

The “Limpreht” message and the PS’s lehtët The electoral process continued to remain blocked after the attempt by the envoys of the Council of Europe and other international partners to persuade both sides to move toward a “solution” and an agreement, which was “sold” yesterday as a “pact” in the Albanian press, even though two days earlier it was already clear that the formula offered by the foreign diplomats was not working. Representatives of the opposition explained that their stance is based on the proposals of the Venice Commission, implying that the deadlock could be broken on the basis of a consensus draft drawn up by Albanian experts, with all reform remarks being submitted for review to the Council of Europe. This solution was not accepted yesterday either by the socialists, who decided to maintain their previous position, insisting on the approval, at all costs and as soon as possible, of the constitutional package already voted on in principle. Despite this, the failure of the European “mission” to truly bring the opposition and the majority closer has not created tension in relations between diplomats and Albanian politicians. If they have preferred not to make harsh public statements, as one of them did on Wednesday night on TV Klan, implying that the opposition was to blame, it is clear that the vast majority have avoided any reaction and are referring to a “tense state of mind” and the heated political climate in the country. According to observers, even these reactions are a kind of “message,” which should be understood as a negative signal for the Albanian opposition’s position. Ironically, not only is the role of certain chancelleries and diplomatic circles in intervening to resolve the crisis being overstated, but the effort made by the socialists to close it with an Albanian “pact” is also being minimized. Pro-government media have spoken at length about the so-called “agreement of the allies,” while ignoring the efforts of the right-wing parties to draw up a common project. The latter resulted in one of the points of a five-point memorandum, presented yesterday to Albania’s ambassadors and international representatives, in which the focus of electoral and constitutional reform was shifting toward the implementation of Council of Europe standards. First and most important, the opposition has stated that the deadlock cannot be broken by “shortening” the deadlines nor by setting an arbitrary voting date. In the above-mentioned document drawn up by it, the opposition argued that the PS must reflect in relation to issues such as the rejection of amendments proposed during the negotiation period, giving priority to the ruling party through political schemes, anti-reform and instability, the failure to give chances again, disregard for positive experiences and their reflection in the draft, which aimed to define the role of voters in order to better understand the meaning of elections. Part of the memorandum presented yesterday by the opposition also emphasized the need to restore a climate of mutual trust between the parties and to extend the deadlines in order to ensure that the reform is completed on an acceptable basis. According to the opposition’s interpretation, the main responsibility for the current crisis and for the failure to reach an impartial outcome in the reform process lies with the PS and its government. It presented this assessment as a consequence of the way power is exercised and of the refusal to include the other political forces in consensus. In essence, yesterday’s memorandum also referred to a “political dismissal” that should be taken into account if the negotiations continue to remain without result.

The Socialist chief and the prime minister prepare the changes and the formula for punishing opponents for an offensive Meta “strips” Nanos’ ministers The Socialist chief and the prime minister prepare for offensive the changes and the formula for punishing opponents The behind-the-scenes maneuvers within the PS have become quite more in- tense and harsher after the final failure of the talks between the left and the right to set the election date and the constitutional package. Nanos and Meta, after meeting, almost daily and holding talks with one another, seem to have reached a compromise that has brought an expected “sacrifice”. The accusations against Berisha’s party and its figures, who have put “pressure” on blocking the talks, will be followed by a revaluation of the positions of the main figures of the majority. This is what was understood and intended from the public statements and the different strategy of the socialists. All these “signs” appear to be part of a common formula for restructuring the organization of the PS and the government. Nanos needs to announce the changes in government as soon as possible, while the punishment of the “dissidents” seems to be an indispensable phase for moving forward. A “yes” also regarding the fate of Pandi, Lirza, and the PS will be at the center of political discussions and decisions. The new conflict that has erupted between Lirza and Nanos is, most likely, connected with the request to replace the former Minister of the Interior, namely Bufi. The same kind of talk is also heard about Tirana and the forces that ignore the “pressure of victory” on the figures who have failed. In such a climate, it is not excluded that in the coming days there will be further moves at the top of the PS and the government. What draws attention is the fact that Nanos, as well as Meta, are being asked to maintain a new balance between the old figures and those who are gaining new ground.

Berisha does not go to Budapest The latest attempt at a PS-PD compromise fails Democratic leader Sali Berisha will not go to the Budapest meeting, organized by the American Institute “Relations” (PER). According to official sources from the PD, the former chairman Sali Berisha will not take part in this event (where several leaders of Albanian parties are to participate), nor in the announced participation there. Sali Berisha remains convinced that the solution to the blockade of the electoral and constitutional reform should not be made behind closed doors, but on the basis of the standards of the Council of Europe. Sources from the PD Steering Council, cited yesterday by the newspaper “Albania”, also confirmed that Berisha has no intention of giving his approval to such an agreement. Such a fact would also invalidate the scenario of a round table, promoted a few days earlier, or of an international meeting, based on the thesis that the opposition is to blame for the crisis. At the same time, a proposal made by representatives of the Hungarian parliament is also believed to have fallen through. Sources from the right claim that Nanos’ majority is trying to sell the public imaginary victories, while the opposition is interested in a normal process according to the rules and laws. These assessments relate to the atmosphere created and to the recent attempts to introduce the idea of an “imposed agreement,” which, according to them, goes against not only democratic practices but also the moral basis of free competition in elections. Page 5

Page 3 Agreement breached between the Albanian Prosecutor’s Office and the Italian Anti-Mafia Page 2 Protest by the Professional Journalists’ Association over violence against TV Klan journalists Page 7 Ahrens shows the electorate in the districts Page 5 Nanos’ opponents prepare a defense at the Congress Page 5

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