On Sunday, 31 March, elections for deputies to the People’s Assembly were held in all electoral zones of our district. In zone 128, where 6 candidates were put forward, the candidate of the Party of Labour, Agron Shaqir Dibra, won with 4,355 votes in favor, or 54.4%. In zone 129, 5 candidates were put forward, but by majority vote the following qualified for the second round, which will be held on 7 April 1991: Esat Myftari — candidate of the Democratic Party, and Nikollë Gjoni — candidate of the Party of Labour. In zone 130, 4 candidates were put forward, and the Democratic Party candidate Preç Zogaj won with over 59%. In zone 131, following candidates qualified for the second-round election: 1. Gjyl Brahimi — of the Party of Labour, with 3,163 votes in favor, or 48.78%. 2. Agron Belishova — of the Democratic Party, with 2,699 votes in favor, or 45.79%. In zone 132, 5 candidates were put forward, and the Party of Labour candidate, Zef Gjergj Nikolli, won with over 53% of the valid votes.

In zone 129, Esat Myftari of the DP and Nikollë Gjoni of the Party of Labour will compete for the seat of deputy. In zone 131, Agron Belishova of the DP and Gjyl Brahimi of deputy. The second-round elections will be held on Sunday, 7 April.

SHOULD RAMIZ ALIA BE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC? 31 March has passed. Now one mystery remains to be solved: Who will become President? Naturally, parliament will decide. Nevertheless, we must await the results of the voting in the zones where the second round of elections will take place. We say this because the mystery will be solved precisely on Sunday, that is, on 7 April. Even so, the Party of Labour has the right to have the President elected from its ranks in parliament, but we must wait until Sunday to see whether two-thirds of parliament will ultimately be from the Party of Labour. People ask: Who deserves to lead the country more than Ramiz Alia? Is Ramiz Alia not the one who worked heart and soul to democratize everything? Is he not the one who, at the nation’s most critical moments and amid political tension, prevented bloodshed? Was it not Ramiz Alia who prevented Albania from becoming a second Romania? Who is more democratic than he, and who worked for pluralist democracy more than he did? Let this also serve as an appeal to our deputies, who, before speaking in parliament, should remember the founder of this pluralist democracy. Let opposition deputies think about it too, if they are truly democrats, as they say. Let no one be overcome by the fever of power and the presidential seat. Ramiz Alia must be President, since he is the only person who can calm the situation and restore the people’s confidence, especially these days, when Shkodra is provoking civil war. Democracy won on 31 March I hear different people saying: “The Party of Labour won”; “No, no. The DP won, because it was young in ‘age’”; “How did the PR lose?”; “How come the other political entities didn’t win?” and so on. Naturally, one thing is quite clear: the Party of Labour won a majority in parliament. I think that on 31 March pluralism won. More precisely, democracy, which encompasses pluralism within itself. Democracy belongs to everyone, because everyone voted for it freely, even though their preferences for parties and political entities differed. So let us rise above our desires—

Question: On 31 March, you received 48.78 percent of the votes, leaving the DP candidate behind. Voters in your zone are also interested in learning a little more about your individual program as a candidate for deputy in the zone. Answer: To tell the truth, I have tried more to explain the Party of Labour’s program, since I represent it, and then my own work and program as well. Nevertheless, since you insist, I’ll tell you. Forgive me, but I am not in the habit of making promises; I wanted to solve these things for you if I become a deputy. I’ll repeat it once more: Let’s leave it to time?... Question: No, no. We want to know what you will do for our zone if you win. Answer: The most critical issue for the zone is ensuring a full supply of drinking water, especially in the villages of Kakarriq, Gjadër, and others. We must not forget the renovation of the others, either. I will press for this firmly in parliament and in the district. Another matter: as regards village planning, I believe the villages should be changed once and for all. We have left the houses three or four meters apart. No. A villager should have the right to build a house in conditions that best meet today’s needs and future development. On his own land he should be able to do whatever he wants. He is free. Except that he must not sell it. As for land, I think that in Zadrimë and the zone where I am standing as a candidate, more land should be given to the farmers. I will do this as soon as possible. Regarding the urban bus route: maintain the road for now, then pave it and introduce a daily bus service according to the residents’ needs. To be honest, there are many problems, but in the village of Gjadër at least, supply remains an issue. There are also various other problems in some villages, which I intend to solve according to a specific program. Question: And what do you promise to do about the many complaints concerning the power line, whose capacity is at a minimum for the zone? Answer: I will insist on installing additional electrical substations so that the villages have full electrical voltage. Question: May we congratulate you now on winning the second round of elections in Zadrimë? Answer: That will be decided by the free will of the people of Zadrimë on Sunday, 7 April! Prepared by: PAL DRAGUSHA

There was talk of work even before 31 March, but very little was done. Some were consumed by the fever of their party’s victory, some by the fear of losing; others were “fishing” in troubled waters, while still others shouted about work but lined their own pockets. And yet we have ended up where we are today. The critical point of the economic crisis continues. Stagnation, declining production, inflation, unemployment, and so on. By now, I believe we have had our fill of rallies and counter-rallies, promises and programs, appeals and shouting. We have missed working. Democracy gains health and life through our work. So let us not hold back. We cannot achieve everything in a few months, as some dream. Let us first emerge from the crisis, then, with clear minds, with our hands on the pencil of private and social-interest accounting, and with the good will not to look at one another askance, let us seek the prosperity promised during the election campaign.

Before March 31, on quite a few occasions, even in interviews with the DP, opinions were expressed such as: “Let’s kill the communists,” “We’ll get revenge,” and so on. And in some cases the situation became so charged that it seemed to need only a spark to set it ablaze. We have plenty of examples, in Manati, Spiten, Gajush, Ishull Lezhë, Balldre, and elsewhere. Nevertheless, I believe these things arose from confused minds and were uttered by loose tongues, though there is no doubt that they were said. But what do you think, communists, officials, and supporters of the PP, now that the Labor Party has won—should we sink to their level and begin taking revenge? After all, we are brothers and sisters united by an ideal. Don’t! On the contrary, now is the time to show once again our culture, tolerance, nobility, and admirable spirit of cooperation as people of Lezhë. I was horrified by the provocative question posed by a veteran: “Why are we sitting around now? Let’s take all those who insulted us to court!” It would be terrible even to entertain the thought of another party taking revenge. Please, stay away from such wicked thoughts! It is best that the same composure the communists showed before March 31 be shown now and in the future. Indeed, they should be even more tolerant and more peaceful. NIKOLLE LESI