Fino threatens in Nano’s name: Hold the congress in March Anila Basha The two PS congresses highlight rival groupings inside the governing party. Ledi Shamku’s proposal to hold an ideological and modernist debate to pave the way for the party reforms has been rejected, while on Thursday a message from Fatos Nano reached the top forums and the heads of the party’s district organizations, according to which the two congresses should be held, one in March and the other at the end of May. After three days the congress, by secret ballot, is choosing the party leadership; what message is Nano leaving to KPD members, and why does he think the election of the KPD’s replacement should not be held when there are elections? In a meeting on the distribution of materials and the discussions, including from Milo or Haloni, and the party’s general secretary, there is no clear indication of where the organization of a congress begins and ends, or whether its main purpose is more to hold the Congress or to carry out the reform of the PS, according to one analysis. Nano had already stated earlier that he is the party chairman and expects to remain so until he reaches the head of government. The special position he has maintained and his independence continue to remain as such. Nano has done this alongside Beluli, the secretary, and for his part has opened a front with partial elections in the KPD with the proposal of one-third of the KPD. Not yet, however, the date of the meeting. However the arrangements regarding the timing and the elections are developing, it is clear that there will be a section at the grassroots level and among various members who see such a postponement as dangerous. A concealed conflict is evident and is likely to break out both within the leadership forums and in the regions. Below is also a scheme that makes it clear how Nano seeks to direct and recentralize control. For four years the Socialist Party has moved forward with several unclear definitions and with several scattered clashes. We have now reached a point where the date of the congress, the manner of the elections and the names in the main forums have become signs of a broad political struggle within the left. Thus, if elections are held at the end of the month, they will be by secret ballot and for the members of the new leadership, which will have other roles and which cannot now be the same. Conversely, if it is decided to hold them in March, according to Nano’s message, then it becomes clear that the decision has a strong political source. In this case, many voices within the party have stated that there cannot be a formal congress without a broad debate. Ledi Shamku has repeated her idea of reform, but this idea has been overshadowed by organizational developments. In the end, the question remains whether this party will manage to move toward a calm change or whether it will enter a more severe clash between factions. (F-6)