DOSSIER On pages 12–13

Majko: I don’t have the report ready

On pages 2–3

Arian Çani Unpredictable, even rare in the history of party factions in Albania, is what is currently happening in the Socialist Party. “It’s certain that Nano will win; we have accurate information about all the delegates who will vote for the former chairman”—these words can be heard everywhere in the many pro-Nano circles... “We know better than anyone that Nano has nothing going for him; we are in power and our data are extremely accurate,” come the statements from Socialist supporters and leaders who back Majko. Unbelievable, indeed politically magnificent, is the propaganda put together by the two rivals. It is perfect, exemplary, enthusiastic and extremely optimistic. Nano’s die-hard supporters give him more than 70 percent of the votes at the Congress. The same claim is put forward by Majko’s people: “He’ll definitely get over 70 percent,” they say confidently, “the Prime Minister will.” In fact, what is exhausting to figure out—and makes you laugh when you hear them sounding so certain, as many people outside the SP structures react—is that those people, the Conference people, those “monsters,” “heartless” and “cruel” types, have been and still are impossible to read: the members and delegates elected at the Conferences. At almost every meeting, these people, who expect everything from the leader, applauded and cheered both Majko and Nano without the slightest hesitation. Which of the two rivals would these strange people vote for? (Surely for the one who would secure them a job or a scholarship before this Saturday.) Which one would these innocent naives, who for more than two months have kept both Majko and Nano dreaming, crucify? (Surely the one who is able to make promises.) Since this hypothesis should not and cannot apply to all the delegates, the game remains open. That is why it is so difficult to predict who will be the next Chairman of the SP. Hence the betting has taken off at the kiosks around the SP. Opinions are so divided that only the final result, after the votes are counted, is expected to settle the great electoral muddle among the divided Socialists. If all this zeal and extreme enthusiasm for their leader—the future winners—were also shown in building a state for everyone, repairing the broken roads, supplying the water that is still missing and keeping the lights on, which are expected to go out again this winter, surely tomorrow we would live better than today.

Greece - Albania 2:0 The national team was wiped out in 10 seconds On page 23 Greece - Albania 2:0. The national team was wiped out in 10 seconds.

Swiss anthropologist Pitard On page 9