. The Meta couple in a new scandal. Page 3

EDITORIAL . Whoever insults you loves you... The corrupt daily practices of the government and the operations of the mafia in Albania are receiving commendable attention from foreign public opinion, to which domestic opinion should also be added. In this context, two days ago “Republika” published an article by an American institution, which spoke about the growth of the social, national and international standing of Albanian mobsters and their clans, under the umbrella of a weak government, inadequate laws and, naturally, weak police forces. The Albanian government’s “most successful” step in this matter is the drafting of the Anti-Corruption Platform, whose implementation group is headed by the Prime Minister himself. Statements by the Prime Minister’s press spokesperson say that this platform will produce results very soon. Prime Minister Meta himself has recently drawn his sword, making threats left and right against companies and corrupt mobsters involved in paving roads, while forgetting to mention that those companies did not win the tenders to pave the roads in the first place without receiving the “OK” from the highest office of his institution. Logically, a prime minister does not deserve to be the one accusing others of corruption. As the representative of the executive, legally he is its chief enforcer. So, for anyone who wants to make a show of it and fight windmills, whether in the Prime Minister’s Office or at other government agencies, the time for that has passed. If a vaccine against this kind of phenomenon really exists, the first to use it should be government officials. Because roads are not the only things burdened by corruption. Nor are customs, fuel, cigarettes, or the ships that dock every day in our ports, with government addresses and recommendations. Corruption and the mafia are also to be found in tenders for printing children’s books, and even in the production of toilet-paper embossing patterns.

Poor asphalt quality yields USD 20 million . “Road construction in our country is at risk because of corruption in the state administration, and even more broadly.” This is the opinion of one of the country’s best-known designers. He views the Prime Minister’s order to transfer oversight from the Ministry to the Roads Directorate in the same light, as it further narrows the scope of oversight. According to him, the preparation of designs, contracts and other agreements related to road construction has been done to the detriment of foreign builders, but not of the Albanian state. Unsuitable aggregates, sand and gravel mixed with mud are being used for paving.

Albanians pay for their jobs with their lives . 140 people become disabled every day. Page 2

The investigation into the treasury leads to one name . The “scapegoat” is revealed. Page 9

The party leader’s supporters are leaving . Arben Malaj resigns. Page 4

Housing . How can the homeless buy homes? Page 21