The General Prosecutor’s Office urgently resumes investigations into corrupt ministers Agim Tirana, Director of the Investigation Directorate at the General Prosecutor’s Office: “The rice tender is only the tip of the iceberg of corruption in the Ministry of Defense” The General Prosecutor’s Office urgently resumes investigations into corrupt ministers Minister Hajdaraga’s file gets even thicker with Chinese rice Agim Tirana, Director of the Investigation Directorate at the General Prosecutor’s Office: “The rice tender is only the tip of the iceberg of corruption in the Ministry of Defense” page 3

One of the most important cards being played by the new prime minister, Meta, as well as by his party, which leads the “Alliance for the State” coalition, is the fight against corruption. To make it more effective, he has also opened the way to cooperation with the opposition, despite the unofficial nature of the invitations made publicly. This is because it is clear that any undertaking to fight corruption without the opposition’s broad and serious commitment would not only produce no results, but would create the impression of a farce intended to pull the wool over people’s eyes. Specifically, the opposition, at the very least through its insistence on following matters through to the end, could be the ideal catalyst for turning Meta’s stated desire into reality, while also putting his sincerity to the test. But the reality, as far as the opposition’s commitment to the fight against corruption is concerned, is not so rosy. Its leaders have indeed raised their voices more than ever on this issue, accusing almost the entire government cabinet, as well as officials in other tiers of the administration, but so far they have not presented documented evidence and facts to submit to the justice authorities, above all to representatives of the international community. The other truth is that the foundations of the empire of corruption have been shaken more by the facts published in the independent press and other media than by the accusations made in opposition leaders’ speeches. In this regard, on several occasions, the press has paradoxically lacked the opposition’s support in breaking the silence with which the state has so far tried to minimize the impact of facts published by the press. And it could hardly be otherwise when, instead of digging for evidence about the army’s rice or road tenders, the leaders of the PD concern themselves with Demi’s march in Maratonesh and Çermenikë, or with his dismissal after Nano in Sofia. Now, more than ever, it is time for the opposition led by the PD to take the initiative in the fight against corruption, first by asking Prime Minister Meta to create the necessary space for it to make its indispensable contribution to eradicating corruption and the general mindset of illicit enrichment. Among other things, it is the opposition that, using the political means at its disposal, can compel the relevant state institutions to act rigorously, especially when it comes to ensuring that the law strikes those responsible.

Working lunch of Minister of Defense Hajdaraga.

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