PSD-PAD contradictions over governance come out into the open Prime Minister Majko faces the dilemma of whether or not to change the government before the SP congress NATIONAL LIBRARY TIRANA

The signals coming from Brussels from the “Friends of Albania” have caused a genuine shock within Albanian politics. What is striking in this regard is that, for the first time, the protagonists of political life in Albania are reacting realistically. Those government figures and representatives of the governing coalition who spoke publicly, unlike on previous occasions, did not try to justify the government or play down the “Friends’” negative assessments. Acknowledging the failures in the fight against crime, corruption, and other negative factors that threaten the country's future, they stressed the need for changes both in working methods and in the leadership of ministries where performance is far from the objectives set out in government programs. Since not the entire “Majko” cabinet is “implicated,” there is no reason not to point the finger at the “destroyers,” the corrupt, and so on. Indeed, one of the reasons the country is in such a seemingly hopeless situation is the tendency to spread responsibility around, covering everything with a shared blanket. Unfortunately, this tendency is also encouraged by coalition government, which distributes the blame for an individual's actions among several parties. But now coalition leaders, aware of the tragic consequences of the actions of certain individuals, are rightly warning that they may leave the coalition. Undoubtedly, the whole host of shortcomings identified by the “Friends” is linked to particular individuals, who should be removed from the list of ministers as soon as possible. The situation is so critical that there is absolutely no time for further experiments based on the principle of “giving this or that person one more chance.” Now that Majko's cabinet is approaching its first anniversary, it is not at all difficult to identify the incompetent, the corrupt, and those linked to crime. Thus, if the government were to respond positively to the ultimatum from Brussels, this would be demonstrated precisely by removing the ministers responsible for these shortcomings and failures. Attempts to link government changes to the SP congress, among other things, cast suspicion on those themselves advocating such a course, placing them in the role of protectors of some corrupt minister. On the other hand, given the opposition's stated willingness to cooperate with the government, can such cooperation be envisaged with thieving and incompetent ministers? Accordingly, one of the parties least tainted by corruption, PAD, has signaled through its president, Ceka, that it “cannot remain in a government where PSD ministers steal.” In this way, PAD becomes all the more credible among voters, seeking to stay away from every corner of corruption. But its departure from the coalition could shake the foundations of the “Majko” cabinet. This is one more reason for Majko to make changes to the cabinet before the Congress. Otherwise, the foul stench of corruption may begin to seem like a “honey” flavor to him, little by little each day, ruining the career of the young, 31-year-old leader—especially since Dokle's candidacy for SP chairman is now on the scene, threatening both Nano and Majko.

Black-and-white photograph: a man hanging from a rope and a woman beneath him.

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