. Meta invites Berisha to a meeting. The majority admits irregularities. Socialists seek peace with the opposition. Page 3.

EDITORIAL . By Genci ÇOBANI. It has become customary for every party, on the eve of local or general elections, especially when it is in power or has just come from holding power, to talk about the good things it has done, thinks it has done, or says have been done. It goes without saying that the Albanian socialists cannot be an exception to this formula, which, unfortunately, has begun to be regarded as a general principle of an election campaign. Nor, then, does it seem particularly surprising that the so-called “achievements of the Government” have been placed at the heart of their propaganda during their election tour around Albania. Failures are not discussed, because that, too, is considered an “election rule”, while the opponent is not allowed to do the same. This is all the more true when figures and economic scandals are involved, since these implicate or accuse the current rulers more than anyone else. According to some data made official by the Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Trade, Albania has lost around 2 billion euros in foreign donations, or almost the same amount in dollars. That may not be a lot, but it is not a little either. Especially when speaking of a country like Albania, where not even a penny is surplus when it comes to investment. The donors have stated the reasons for the funds not being disbursed: the inability of the Albanian state to absorb them. That is enough to understand not only the failure of socialist governance, but also the great harm it has done to this country. Moreover, when you consider that this damage is somewhat greater than the damage said to have been inflicted on Albanians by the collapse of the pyramid schemes, there is no way you can avoid using the word “thief” freely for these unscrupulous, powerful usurers. The value of a campaign lies less in highlighting the merits of one political force or another than in exposing the hypocrisy of those who know how to shout even when they have done nothing.

EU/International donors’ funds go to waste Albania manages to absorb only 28 percent of the funds allocated through foreign assistance. . Albania loses 2 billion euros. Albania manages to absorb only 28 percent of the funds allocated through foreign assistance committed by the donor community over the past 10 years. The European Union and the PHARE Programme are two international donor organizations that have provided the largest assistance in grants and loans to our country. For this reason, the aforementioned figure for our country’s ability to absorb aid refers precisely to the relations established over these years with these two organizations. According to official data, so far the Albanian economy has put to effective use around 753 million euros provided by the EU, or only 28 percent. Page 9.

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. Rotschild and his connections with Edi Rama. Page 5.

No compromise at the expense of the voters . Haxhia Rama revealed the sources of funding! According to the well-known jurist, the campaign is becoming increasingly heated, deliberately polarized between the two candidates from the PS and PD. He has also denounced the situation, calling on international organizations to monitor the campaign on television and to make public the sources of political parties’ campaign funding. The sums are astronomical, especially those of the candidate from the party in power, who is exploiting his state office and also using the state budget for his campaign. Page 2.

Interview . Ardit Gjebrea reveals the surprises of “Kënga Magjike 2000”. Page 21.

The truth about the traffickers’ arrest is uncovered . Corals expose the mafia minister. Page 4.

Citizens are forced to buy on the black market . Schoolbook prices triple. Page 19.

The murderer who was hiding in Italy arrives in Albania . He had been sentenced to 16 years in prison in absentia. Page 6x.

Mediu holds election meetings in Cërrik and Gramsh . Those who respect life protect it. “Luan Duzha represents a democratic approach in ideas, an intellectual person and humane in spirit, because he belongs to the Republican Party, whose members love, protect and respect life and the nation.” With these words, the chairman of the Republican Party, Fatmir Mediu, opened the ceremony introducing the PRSH candidate for the Municipality of Cërrik, in the presence of several hundred PRSH members and supporters in the city. Page 2.