Gjinushi and Melo are ousted PS, government with “Civil Society” Page 3

Crime within the family The father executes his three-year-old son and then kills himself Page 5

EDITORIAL Albania toward one-party rule When the Socialists won the ’97 elections and generously offered government posts to a whole stream of allied parties, there were some people who knew very well what would happen next. And these were not officials, ministers, or administrative employees, but that section of the militants whose Kalashnikov barrels were still hot. These are precisely the people who think nothing of making “bread and cheese with one [?].” Now, three years later, the Socialists are gradually shedding the mask of “true democrats” and “liberal politicians,” and even that of “modern nationalists.” They are removing from power, one by one, all representatives of allied parties, after “using them to create the image of an open party”; the allied missionaries are watching their seats fly away one after another. Shortly before this, the Socialists also abandoned the “soft ways” with which they created the impression of a party “under attack all the time.” During this election campaign their language became harsher than that of shepherds. And finally, the Socialists gave up even on “good-neighbourly relations,” creating precedents in Himarë. Now they are alone, just as the “base” wants them to be and as those militants of ’97 predicted: stronger than ever, more dangerous than ever to this country’s fragile democracy. These were not officials, nor ministers, nor administrative employees, but that segment of the militants who had wielded the still-hot Kalashnikov. These very people, who think nothing of eating bread and cheese “with the party in their hearts,” would then shake their heads and smile ironically. “You’ve been very generous this time, giving everyone positions!,” they would say here and there. And the reply: “Wait, wait, don’t get upset, we’ll take them away again, one by one, very soon,” as “Rama’s right-hand men.” “It’s no surprise to us,” the municipal officials say. According to them, support for Rama during the election campaign seems to have come at a price, or, in other words, been part of a deal, in which someone is always seeking a reward. In any case, the municipal officials are still eagerly waiting to see what might happen. “...eral,” and even that of the “modern nationalists.” They are removing, one by one, all the representatives of the allied parties from power, party. These allies helped present the Socialists, up to the local elections, as a modern party with a Western outlook. Just a few days before the elections, this mask was cast off and the former communists entered the election alone.

Tirana/Secret agreement between Meta and Rama Monika Kryemadhi is expected to receive the “title” of deputy mayor of Tirana, an appointment that will not be long in coming after Edi Rama is recognized as the new mayor. This information has been circulating at Tirana Municipality for the past few days, where the name of Prime Minister Meta’s wife has been whispered as someone who will soon be introduced at the Municipality as Rama’s “right-hand person.” “It would not surprise us,” municipal officials say. According to them, the support for Rama during the election campaign apparently had a price—or, in other words, was part of a deal, where someone is always seeking a reward. In any case, municipal officials are still waiting anxiously to see what may happen. Page 4

Godo denounces the Himarë precedent Foreign policy commissioners in the Albanian Parliament lay their cards on the table and speak “plainly” about what happened in Himarë during Sunday’s runoff. “The Greek opposition MPs, by conducting open propaganda in favor of the PBDNJ candidate in Himarë, have infringed on sovereignty and violated the Constitution and the Electoral Code,” said Chief Commissioner Sabri Godo during a meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Policy. Page 3

CEC leaders await their “report card” The CEC has made no official statement on the final positions of the OSCE, ODIHR and the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe regarding the voting on 15 October, in the second round of the local elections. Internal sources at the CEC have stated that this declaration, made public by representatives of international organizations, hit the leadership of the electoral institution like a bomb. Page 2

. Today, at 11:00, the National Assembly of PRSH meets in the hall of the National History Museum. The Assembly will analyze the local elections of 1 October, the result achieved, as well as the problems observed during the campaign.

The risk . Over 1 million vaccines are at risk of expiring. Page 11