The war between Socialist factions comes to an end: Together we are stronger Yesterday’s KPD meeting. The confidence vote on the Socialist leadership is forgotten pages 3–4

Given the fierce clashes in recent weeks between the groups seeking to bring the PS leadership under their control, it was thought that yesterday’s KPD meeting would also continue these confrontations, characterized by exchanges of accusations and even insults, as had happened on some occasions in recent months, ever since Nano left the head of government. Indeed, it was thought that yesterday’s meeting would be a suitable occasion for the two rival “groups” to measure their strength in a dress rehearsal before the congress. But that is not what happened. Yesterday, the opposing sides distinguished themselves through their tolerance and easily managed to reach a consensus that had been missing for a long time. Thus, even those issues that had served as “bones of contention” within the PS, such as the date of the next congress or the demand for a confidence vote on the leadership, were left in the background, as though there had always been a unified position on them. The long-awaited rapprochement between Nano’s and Majko’s groups was reduced to a contest of moralizing speeches, replete with fine-sounding terms addressed to the party itself, such as “cooperation,” “sharing ideas,” “diversity of opinion,” and so on. Nevertheless, judging by the course of yesterday’s meeting, one got the impression that Nano and his group had made a certain retreat. The fact is that the main demands that had been at the center of recent disputes—such as a confidence vote on the leadership and holding the congress before autumn—were not taken into consideration. But the more plausible hypothesis is that both sides have understood that continuing the infighting would lead to a marked decline in their standing among the party grassroots. This is because ordinary Socialists are hardly likely to be reassured by modern political terms such as “faction,” “diversity of opinion,” “clash of ideas,” and so on. Bearing in mind the epidemic of abuses and personal enrichment that has engulfed the Albanian political class, rank-and-file Socialists are inclined to think that their leaders are quarreling less over ideas and principles than over how to line their pockets a little more. Under these circumstances, whoever won, it would be a “Pyrrhic victory.” The party would be weakened further, which would benefit the opposition. Indeed, the recent revival of the opposition, some of its moves—such as statements about returning to Parliament, demands for a different government, and especially a return to the idea of new elections—seem to have brought Nano, Majko, and the others to their senses and prompted them to join forces against the PD.

Majko and Nano together again, as in the old days ...

The anti-Albanian campaign continues throughout Greece Athens: Our operations against criminals and illegal immigrants “I do not agree with some hasty actions by the Greek police. I am against violations of human rights, although I think the main thing is to find, uncover, and detain criminal elements ...” said Greek Parliament Speaker Kaklamanis. In Thessaloniki, an Albanian woman had an abortion alone at home out of terror of police inspections. Everywhere on the ground, police pursue Albanian immigrants on buses and in public venues and handcuff every one they find. Meanwhile, at Kakavijë, dozens of young people show the injuries inflicted by Greek police violence. pages 2, 11