THE OPPOSITION TAKES KAVAJË. BECI, A LANDSLIDE VICTORY IN SHKODËR. FREDI BELERI ELECTED IN HIMARË Berisha-Meta: Electoral farce. The narco-state won • It secured a second mandate under the PS logo. Pjerin Ndreu: We beat the purple because Lezha votes right • European Parliament representative: Citizens were intimidated by people outside the polling stations Former Prime Minister Sali Berisha came out today with a statement to the media in which he did not accept defeat even in those municipalities where the right had been a stronghold. He described the process as an electoral farce. “The terrible industry of vote buying, the world of crime and oligarchy, as never before in the history of this country, violated the vote of Albanians. There are countless acts, actions that show that during these months, the narco-state is implementing the program of destroying freedom of vote,... (In photo:) PD leader Sali Berisha On pages 2-3

Opinion of the Day By ANDI BUSHATI A small part of the machinery of manipulation of these elections will be uncovered in the coming days, we will learn what the “evidence” was with which they were set up... They took it! We knew it Continues on page 20

Opinion of the Day By FLAMUR KUÇI In parentheses, I must admit that, despite my ongoing criticism of the behavior of the PD (or its factions) over the last 10 years,... The punishment that comes from Shkodra Continues on page 21

“MAKE WAY FOR THE YOUNG” Preç Zogaj’s analysis: PD entered the race to survive, Berisha a personal battle On page 7

KUÇOVË On page 2

ELECTIONS On page 10

BIRN: International actors concerned by the authorities’ ‘machinations’ in the elections Glover: Claims of pressure on the administration and vote buying are concerning The International Election Observation Mission for the local elections of 14 May 2023 released on Tuesday a preliminary report of findings on the electoral process, describing it as an election dominated by political leaders and far from the real interest of voters in local issues. “The campaign was dominated by party leaders, with little consideration for the interests of voters,” said Ambassador Audrey Glover, head of the ODIHR mission in Albania. Glover added that “unfortunately the campaign and its coverage did not focus on local issues” and, according to her, “this focus undermines voters’ real ability to choose.” She considered the campaign politically polarized and highlighted concerns about the use of state resources in the campaign. “Concerning issues are the allegations... On page 5

DOCUMENTS On pages 22-23

PR PRESTIGE Resort Hotel, Spa & Aquapark

KORÇA BEER ... still the best today