Teta refuses to obey Nano
“I regret to note that there are many problems, and that they require the proper amount of time” — Page 3
The “Teta” signal
BY ENTON ABILEKAJ
Yesterday, a minister finally mustered the courage to publicly defy his superior. “I can’t do what Nano says,” the Minister of Public Order said, openly exposing himself to the sharp sword of the Prime Minister, who has shown that he spares no one in pursuit of his goal. The rejected order will need someone to carry it out within 10 days, and that is the maximum time Teta has to prove that he can remain in the Government. Moreover, since his overseer is the ferocious Islami, it seems the Government will undergo changes again. But this is not the end.
Many ministers are dissatisfied with the way the Prime Minister communicates with them, regardless of who is to blame. Apostoli is already openly on the defensive; he accuses people within the PS, but does not dare challenge Nano, who has outdone him with his own advisers. Thus, less than four months into the new Government, two ministers are on a knife-edge, and others may become a problem. Changes in the Government seem very close, but this time there is a difference. Those at risk have chosen to oppose the decision before it is made, unlike the group before them in April. Then, the first person to publicly object was Cela of the PAD; now, the first person to publicly object from that very same chair is Teta of the same party. This appears to be the party of rebellion, whose syndrome could spread throughout the dissatisfied part of the Government Cabinet. There seems to be no shortage of dissatisfied members in this Government, which gives no more time than the deadline to carry out the required action. This harsh way of governing ministers seems likely to cause considerable problems during the coalition’s four-year term. A year has just passed since the Government was formed, and a second cabinet reshuffle is approaching. While the first created a sizeable group of dissatisfied people, the second could create a dangerous group. The Prime Minister’s opponents may increase not only within the PS, but also in the rest of the coalition. Nano is not expected to soften his stance toward his subordinates, while Teta has signalled that rebellion will be the consequence of this stance. Whether or not they deserve their portfolios, many current ministers may end up serving as backbench MPs or members of their parties’ senior bodies after the Government reshuffle.
The signal Teta sent could change many things in the Government. It seems that the crisis has now been openly exposed and has been brewing for two months; either Nano will change by accepting dissent, or the Government will change and move away from danger.