Senior officials in the courtroom. Minister Hajdaraga is expected to arrive Kiço Kalaja, Engjëll Gondedi, Ramadan Ramadani, Shefqet Sherri, Kujtim Baholli and Nasip Salia, those investigated in the rice scandal Senior officials in the courtroom. Minister Hajdaraga is expected to arrive The rice trial of Minister Hajdaraga begins Kiço Kalaja, Engjëll Gondedi, Ramadan Ramadani, Shefqet Sherri, Kujtim Baholli and Nasip Salia, those investigated in the rice scandal page 7

ALEKSANDËR ÇIPA The word “strike” has recently returned to the everyday vocabulary of politics. The unfolding reality of Albanian politics over the past 10 years has shown that whenever the strike mechanism has been used in protest against the government, political changes have been unavoidable. This is because strikes, which have always arisen from accumulated dissatisfaction and mounting protest, have turned into political movements which, in the reality of the past decade, have for the most part resulted in changes of government. This preference in the political game of the opposition led by Berisha has on more than a few occasions also been supported by precedent. Such is the case with the most recent strike by the 7 artists dismissed from TOB, who have now been on a hunger strike for five days. In the hall where the artists have decided to take their challenge to the very end, politicians and leaders of political forces have been coming and going more frequently in recent hours. With smiles of support and solidarity for the artists, each in their own political colors, the players from the political headquarters, as soon as they leave the room where the strikers are confined, make statements, stirring up their own reactions to this strike, which in this case is a genuinely real one and thus sets a precedent. However, the artists’ response, as it escalates, does not seem to be finding the public attention it deserves, nor is it finding a receptive response. The government’s eloquent response has followed this reaction. The stern statement by the League of Writers and Artists, along with opinions expressed by public figures, has also followed. This makes it clear that the delay in finding a solution by the Culture administration and, further, by the Government, creates a situation that the opposition cannot leave unused. And such opportunities remain unpassed over by the opposition, precisely because they provide a pretext for political action, and because they concern a category known for its public credibility. But it seems that the political machinery has now been set in motion. On the outskirts of the capital, several other strikes are also underway, including those by textile workers and miners, as well as drivers. Put more briefly, the Government is slowly being surrounded by strikes and their supporters. Naturally, without wasting time before responding administratively, the authorities could at least react with public gestures, at least from those in government. Further inflaming the artists’ issue would constitute a significant blow to Prime Minister Meta; it would be a blow that, given the daily attacks of protest from the opposition and those outside it, would prove to be more than just another blow.

Those accused in the rice case in court yesterday Emergency situation at KESH. The main hydroelectric power station is cut off from Albania Half the country without electricity Farudin Hoxha has never felt worse than he did yesterday, since taking over as head of KESH just over two months ago. Indeed, he did not hesitate to make public his concern about the situation in the country caused by anomalies in the energy system. “Almost half of Albania is in darkness. Five main high-voltage lines have been damaged, creating an extremely difficult situation for supplying the population with energy,” said KESH director Farudin Hoxha yesterday. He immediately gathered all his subordinates in his office, where he received the latest reports on the situation in the country. For several hours in the “light commissioner’s office,” they discussed the options currently available to KESH to intervene immediately and improve the situation. Page 21