No solution for the government. Who will back down first (Page 3) No solution for the government. Who will back down first? Page 3

BY ANDI BUSHATI Eight months after the remarkable victory of 29 June, Fatos Nano has seriously called into question his promise to govern on a broad basis, by respecting institutions and abandoning authoritarian methods. The recent changes of several ministers and the attempt to subjugate the institution of the presidency make you wonder whether the man leading the country today has also begun to favor the methods of his predecessors. None of those who voted last summer is now convinced why Neritan Ceka should be dismissed, or what shortcomings he was fired for. On the contrary, the departure of the former interior minister is being interpreted as the departure of a man who had the strength to oppose Nano (even publicly), threatening him either with a dossier on government officials’ corruption or with the withdrawal of his party from the coalition. For more or less the same reasons, Sabit Brokaj has also been excluded from the new government’s plans, and few are inclined to believe the sexual scandal involving him. Even if the MP from Vlora was involved in this sex affair, the fact that it became public only after Brokaj refused to take the helm of the Interior Ministry makes you wonder why. But Brokaj’s only sin, and Ceka’s too, apparently, is that they refused to become putty in the prime minister’s hands. Meidani has been trying to do the same for some time. In his first serious attempt to preserve the independence of the institution he represents, he was harshly attacked by the prime minister and his people in the PS. The President of the Republic was accused of “destabilizing Albania and the region,” of creating “total absurd chaos” that plunges the country into an “institutional crisis,” solely because he refused to sign the names of the new government within a few hours and was using the necessary legal period required to decree the names of the new ministers. The anger toward Meidani was so great that in recent days officials have not hesitated to remind him that the new constitution (the president’s powers are currently under discussion) could turn him into a puppet in the prime minister’s hands. The scandal of the rebellious ministers and the latest attempts to sideline the President show that the Albanian prime minister is beginning to be abandoned by those who once would not say “no” to him. Unlike how things may appear, the threats of prison bars (respect for institutions, support for different alternatives and the impending burning ... close to Fatos Nano, yet changes and ... close to Fatos Nano ...). From authoritarianism, the old rule and “...”, from the strengthening of Albanian politics, it seems that he too has begun ... The changes in government and the latest institutional crisis prove this. At least until the moment when the prime minister has the courage to declare that he will not act like Berisha, because he has not changed to be merely a society of old ideas 555.5 years old.

Give us back our money or we’ll go to Flag Square P. 11 Give us back our money or we’ll go to Flag Square Pyramid schemes, Vlora: “Nano, be careful” P. 11

Press conference of the Republican Party P. 2 Yesterday, special ceremony at the Ministry of Public Order Ceka hands the keys to Teta P. 6 Organized group, around 20 people in custody The benz mafia is caught P. 7 Press conference by the Tirana police director The challenge of organized crime P. 6 Baby scandal, suspects questioned Dozens of people under investigation P. 7 The editorial staff of the newspaper “Koha Jonë” wishes all Orthodox believers: Happy Easter

Page 2 Servet Pëllumbi dismissed as deputy chairman without Nano’s motion

The names of those being investigated for illegal trafficking. Very well-known people; everything is top secret The Prosecutor’s Office will inform Meidani and Nano When people involved in politics, who are currently in power, quarrel with one another, they say: Look, you’re involved in smuggling; I’ll expose you. But who is actually involved in smuggling, or, more precisely, how high up the hierarchy have the traffickers climbed, as they mock not only the people’s vote but their blood? The opposition has had its say, and so have those who have fallen from the tree. P. 5