Delays in party officials’ salaries Problems collecting membership dues. Here is how much the PD spent in 2017 By VALENTINA MADANI The Democrats have recently been facing economic problems, which has forced the head of the PD, Lulzim Basha, to make some cuts in the party’s administration. Mr. Basha has tried through these cuts ... On page 6

INTERVIEW / BESKIDA ALIAJ: 11 COUNTRIES, “IN FAVOR OF” MERGING CONTRIBUTIONS Albanians who have worked in Italy and live here receive a pension at the age of 66. The example of the elderly man who receives 306 euros a month (In the photo) Beskida Aliaj, specialist in the field of pensions, representative of the INAS CISL Patronage in Albania On pages 8-9

Opinion of the Day A year ago I wrote an essay in this same newspaper and in the “Opinion” section with the title “The Blushi Phenomenon”. It was a moment when Blushi within the party ... Continues on page 20 By SULEJMAN MATO The “Kryemadhi” phenomenon, for and against

Speech of the Day The year 1976, 41 years ago, would be the year when I created the two most important connections of my life: work in Albania’s foreign service ... Continues on page 21 By DASHNOR DERVISHI The elite caste of diplomats, the only thing the country lacks

THE WRITER SPEAKS Helena Kadare’s special testimony: The time when I adored Ismail’s literature On page 19

FORMULA AND DEADLINES Former owners, the government sets new rules for compensation On pages 10-11

2 THOUSAND NAMES The persecuted, the third list of compensation for heirs On pages 14-15

HEALTH Folk doctor: Here is how to cure spondyloarthrosis with juniper tea On page 13

President Ilir Meta awards the title to Dashnor Dervishi and Ilir Boçka Ditmir Bushati: A new phase, a significant day for the foreign service President Ilir Meta awards the title to Dashnor Dervishi and Ilir Boçka Two career diplomats receive the rank of “Ambassador” Ditmir Bushati: A new phase, a significant day for the foreign service Career diplomats Dashnor Dervishi and Ilir Boçka were awarded yesterday the rank of “Ambassador” by President Ilir Meta. In his speech, during the ceremony organized at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister Ditmir Bushati said that it is the first time this rank has been awarded in the post-regime period. The head of diplomacy praised the two ambassadors for their contribution to the foreign service. “This is a new phase, it is the first time that the rank ‘Ambassador’ has been awarded in the period ... On page 4

THE OPPOSITION PROTEST Lu meets Basha and Kryemadhi, Ruçi: The vote for Marku was OK On page 2