The government “mounts the horse”
Meksi 2 wins the vote of confidence. Socialist Rexhepi is the sole abstainer
Arbnori: The kiosks will bring down the government
page 3
Parliamentary “labor” for the Meksi-2 government lasted three days, until it was born—perhaps after the grandiose christening it had previously received from the real prime minister, Mr Berisha. The very drawn-out process of bringing the Government into the world coincides remarkably with a hostage-taking. But the hostage is not merely a coincidence; it is at the heart of the creation and existence of the Meksi-2 Government.
There can be no doubt that both state establishments built alongside the capital’s largest boulevard know this truth: one is called the Prime Minister’s Office and the other the Presidency. In this particular case, when one considers that after the scandalous elections of 26 May these two buildings are, in a way, hostages to each other, one’s mind turns to the Danish advisers, so well known for intrigue in literature. What does this mean; that is, which of the buildings is more of a hostage than the other!? An analysis of some well-known political events in Albania may show that the government is more hostage than hostage-taker.
1. Hostage to the election scandal.
Notice what happens to a government that for four consecutive years was a target of harsh criticism from the opposition, citizens, and even the ruling party itself: it is suddenly re-elected with the same prime minister, under the same name, with only the number 2 added. What does this mean? Could it be that the President of the Republic did not know how much he would lose, at least at the start of post-26 May rule, by bringing back the same team? But the obligation between him and the man called prime minister must be mutual. The point of connection is precisely 26 May. Voices from within the DP and the government have said that Meksi resisted calls to resign for a long time, and managed to withstand them only by using Berisha’s argument that “The elections were won, not manipulated.” But it is well known that only a successful government wins elections so resoundingly. Would Meksi not use this logic!? In this sense, the head of state was forced to accept the condition in order not to acknowledge the costly truth of vote-rigging.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Berisha has “taken Meksi and the government hostage” in his own name. As long as Europe, America, and the opposition are boiling over with demands for new parliamentary elections, no one in the government is secure in their seat. In this case, Berisha is the safest. If the time comes to hold another election—which is normal—then “here is the government that rigged the vote; let it answer for what it did.” It would be different if, at that moment, Meksi were an ordinary citizen.
FRROK ÇUPI
(continued on page 3)