New funds for the minister’s campaign 21 tenants pay for Edi Rama Page 3

EDITORIAL For 10 years now, people in Albania have been talking about change. Great changes, profound changes, radical changes, to uproot the accursed evils that have gripped us for more than half a century... Mass parties, charismatic leaders, frenzied fanatical activists, demagogic campaigners and demagogic governments have talked and continue to talk about change, without even attempting to change the texts of their speeches and long lists of election promises. The candidates’ names come and go, positions change hands and election slogans... [fragmented text in the source] ...of the country... Meanwhile, Albania remains where it was, faded and increasingly bereft of hope. Meanwhile, Albanians sink ever deeper into their poverty and hopelessness. Meanwhile, we, the last inhabitants of this land (a large part have fled across the world, some “with papers” and some illegally), remain where we are accustomed to remain, waiting to feel at least a little of what we are being promised, even if only as a gentle, almost soundless breeze... a saying of our people. Now, more than ever, it is time for change. Now, more than ever, it is time not to let them deceive us not for the second time, but for the umpteenth time. The liars are in power and are waiting to make fools of those who are ready to believe them once again. Meanwhile, the Republicans, those who believe in what they say, are close to the people, close to their bitter truth, with the dream, desire, possibility and strength to change everything. Those and demagogic powers have spoken and continue to speak of change, without even attempting to alter the texts of their long lists of electoral speeches and promises. slogans are retouched, made more touching or harsher (depending on the circumstances and the respective party’s political position in relation to the masses and those in power); candidates’ campaign headquarters and teams are dismissed and appointed anew, and funds are increased and cut, as circumstances and they see fit. number have fled around the world, some “with papers” and some illegally), end up where we are used to staying, waiting to feel at least a little of what they have been talking about for 10 years—a light breeze, perhaps, and barely a sound: the Wind of Great Change. Is there hope? If it were not for this word, we would undoubtedly have died! But should we wait? Certainly not! “If you fooled me once, the fault was yours. But if you fool me a second time, the fault will be mine,” says ... The liars are in power and are waiting to mock once again those who hope to believe them. The Republicans, on the other hand, desire, opportunity and strength to change everything. They have never lied. Perhaps because they have never had the opportunity to do so, or perhaps because they do not know how to lie. Time will reveal many truths, just as it has revealed many lies to date. It is time for us to change, starting with ourselves, with our vote.

Impartiality toward political entities is being violated OSCE denounces the bias of TVSH and private TV stations in their coverage of the election campaign. The international organization responded yesterday concerning the one-sided coverage of political parties’ campaigns by television stations. TVSH was in the spotlight; over the past two days, it has devoted an unimaginable amount of airtime in its news broadcasts to the parties in the “Alliance for the State” coalition, and especially to the PS. OSCE Deputy Head Xhovani Porta said in an interview with one of the electronic media outlets, Radio “Europa e Lirë,” that some TV stations had violated the established rules and standards in their coverage of the election campaign. Page 4

Investigation of the Peshkëpi incident demanded Leaders of MAPE, BEP and the Parliamentary Committee on Public Order, as well as SHISH, have asked the Ministry of Public Order to clarify the Peshkëpi incident. According to them, failure to uncover what happened is a minus for the Albanian Police, which has undertaken to organize calm and free elections on 1 October. “If the Topalli incident is not clarified, the police will remain under suspicion for the remainder of the election campaign.” Page 4

Construction Page 9

Justice institutions blame one another Page 8

Universities/Secondary quotas, all awarded through a competition Page 21

Meta ignores the law that led to a hunger strike The Meta government has violated Law No. 8578, “On the Theatre”. Six months after it came into force, the law is not only unimplemented, but is also being brazenly violated by the Government and the Ministry of Culture. This may seem unbelievable to many, if they recall the Meta Government’s stubbornness, bordering on cynicism, in pushing through such a fiercely opposed law, which had sparked so much controversy, protests and strikes, and which also led to the first hunger strike by artists in history. Page 23

On 1 October, Republicans will know how to show the value of their alternative PRSH launches its election campaign Pages 11, 12, 13, 14 FOR ALBANIA, WHICH DESERVES MORE

Today, at 10:00, at the PRSH Central Headquarters, the Presidium and Dr. Maks Haxhia will hold a press conference.