Enver Hoxha’s widow appears on the occasion of the dictator’s 90th birthday. Page 4 The widow of Enver Hoxha appears on the occasion of the dictator’s 90th birthday. Page 4 After eight years Photo A.RAMA

BY GAVROSH LEVONJA After more than eight years, yesterday Albanian communists for the first time experienced the pleasure of holding a major event organized in Tirana. Thus, after being legalized, after the initial period of organization, and after launching their press organs, Enver Hoxha’s heirs, taking advantage of the anniversary of their idol, tried to show that they could be a competitor not to be dismissed in the race against the other political forces. With the Migjenian uniform still fresh in people’s minds, along with restrictions carried to the point of absurdity, miserable prisons, internment camps, and other mechanisms of class struggle, few would have thought that defending this period could serve as a card for returning to power. Nevertheless, in a true democracy no one can be denied their political opinions and beliefs. Also, given that communist parties have the rights of citizens even in countries with developed democracies, banning the Communist Party outright was, in fact, an undemocratic act. This was also reflected in the positions taken at the time toward those who dared not to discard their red clothes or Hoxha’s image—positions that took on a revanchist character as part of a class struggle in the opposite direction. The misfortune was that the communists were attacked mostly by former communists, who rushed to usurp the right wing. But what matters when speaking about the Communist Party is the role it can play now and in the future in the country’s political life, especially in establishing balances at particular moments. The consequences of Sali Berisha’s government’s mistakes and the left’s inability to restore the country to normality, in a way, favor the communists just as they favor the right. Above all, that section of the population proletarianized as a result of economic changes cannot help but look back nostalgically on the equality of the “Commander’s time” or the calm, regardless of how it was achieved. On the other hand, considering the Socialists’ tendency to move toward the center, there is every chance that some of the Socialist electorate will drift further left and become a pool of support for Milloshi and Hasani’s party. In this way, the Communist alternative is a reality. But, to compete with dignity against the others, the communists too, like them, must undergo genuine reform in keeping with the times and move closer to Western communist models. Among other things, this may be one aspect of reassessing their Albanian figure, who had anathematized those models.

The PS chairman proposes the idea of a modern social-democratic force TIRANA — “After the changes in the party, the time has come to form the social-democratic left.” Fatos Nano has wasted no time in presenting his first idea as head of the Socialist Party, and it is reported that he has begun consultations to achieve his goal. It is the first time that the former Socialist head of government has called for the positions of Albania’s Social Democrats and Socialists to be unified. Nano is offering coexistence with Gjinushi, the chairman of the PSD, and wants a fully developed left to be formed in Albania as well. This, too, is among the former prime minister’s long-standing ideas of coexistence, integration, and cooperation. Perhaps this has long been an idea of the Socialist leader. But it became public only the first moment Nano took the “reins” of the party he leads. This is also the most opportune moment for him to devote himself fully not only to party life, but also to expanding cooperation with the PSD, a party whose platform is almost entirely left-wing. And beyond the name, there is no small basis for a new bond between these two parties to build a shared future. All the more so because there has been no major conflict between the PS and the PSD, either before the 29 June elections or after them. While Nano proposes such cooperation, Gjinushi’s position on the idea is still unknown. In any case, a proposed alliance between these two parties will not pass unnoticed by the other parties in this coalition. Perhaps the most pessimistic about this will be AD President Neritan Ceka, who will be left completely alone in this coalition. If such a union comes about, it will also be of interest to the left around the world. The PSD has been a member of the Socialist International for some time, while the PS is on the verge of joining this forum. In any case, given the work the PS will do going forward, this could happen very soon.