PD walks out of Parliament session; the Constitution is the cause. Imami: This clique of criminals must not come in here again. Calm in Vlora; weapons are being surrendered Page 3 Prime Minister Fatos Nano orders a major clear-out: “Cut 15% of the employees in the 21 ministries.” Hundreds of civil servants on the brink of unemployment

One of the first steps taken by political forces that come to power is to make changes to the state administration, including job cuts. Perhaps they see this as the easiest way to satisfy the electorate’s desire for change in relation to those who have passed into the minority. But in the country’s current situation, above all economically, taking this measure to improve these indicators is truly a necessity. This year, for reasons that are well known, one of the main problems faced by recent governments has been the budget deficit. The first measure that comes to mind is also to cut spending on the state administration. Thus, Prime Minister Nano’s latest idea—to cut around 15 percent of state-administration employees in every ministry—seems genuinely well-founded. Indeed, at a time when other sectors, especially private business, need support, it would be short-sighted to balance the budget by burdening them with taxes, an action that ultimately empties voters’ pockets. On the other hand, it is a well-known fact that the Albanian state administration is excessively overstaffed. While staffing levels in ministries and other branches of government are hugely inflated, the new leaders are complaining because they have been confronted with an unpleasant surprise: in just the past few months or weeks, many people have been hired in the sectors they lead, some of whom may not even know what their job is. Although Mr. Nano’s idea is entirely sound, the way he intends to implement the idea of cuts in the administration is not particularly well thought out; indeed, it reeks of anachronism, reflecting to some extent a globalist, collectivist mentality characteristic of the communist regime, and bringing to mind campaign-style drives and the spirit of action for transfers or dismissals at the grassroots level. First of all, it does not follow that the same percentage of employees should be cut from every ministry. Each has its own particular characteristics and needs. Thus, if the figure of 15 percent is right for one ministry, another may need a much bigger clear-out. But it is also possible that in some cases we may encounter a staff shortage. This is primarily because of the amateurism of those who built the administration during the Berisha era, but also because the government cabinet was reorganized, new ministries were created, and some others were abolished. Another drawback is that Prime Minister Nano’s order for the 15 percent cut could provide material for Berisha’s propaganda. As for the method of carrying out purges, instead of issuing orders or decisions to clear out excess staffing, it would be more sensible to assign each ministry its respective budget and let its leaders find the most appropriate way to manage it. This could also be a suitable means of increasing the ministries’ autonomy. In this way, one might choose to get rid of 15 percent of employees; another might send even 50 percent home; but it is also possible that someone might make an “en bloc” pay cut without resorting to layoffs. GAVROSH LEVONJA

The Secretary General of the DP, Genc Pollo, on the day of his entry into the “Parliament of the Kalashnikovs”

The Secretary General of the DP, Genc Pollo, on the day of his entry into the “Parliament of the Kalashnikovs”

Interview— the prime minister’s wife speaks to “K” Pages 12–13

The loan-shark’s trial: “She is ill” Page 2

Dialogue continues with Shafi «Shabani», the General [Chief] Page 15