The Democratic leader, without parliamentary immunity and accused by the Haxhiaj brothers in connection with the “Hajdari” case, is expected to be punished by the Socialists three years after they came to power page 3

By Edi Lesi Anyone who saw Prime Minister Meta and PS chairman Nano embrace two or three times in Rinas during the comings and goings

By Edi Lesi Anyone who saw how Prime Minister Meta and PS chairman Nano embraced two or three times in Rinas during their comings and goings across Europe would have done well to fix those moments in their memory, since these may have been the final days of such a strong friendship between the two leaders. The rift occurred while both were outside Tirana: Meta in Romania and Nano in Korçë. For the first time since the beginning of this past year, Nano did not offer congratulations to the Meta government at the PS’s most important forum, the KPD. By raising the issue of corruption, Nano once again reminded Meta that the most difficult territory to win was not in Bucharest, but in the centre of Tirana, where the PS headquarters and the central government ministries are located. The prime minister understood this well. Upon returning to his homeland on Sunday, he summoned the Socialist ministers in his cabinet (no one from the prime minister’s office administration attended this meeting), and, in distinctly unsparing tones, demanded to know why they had not opposed Nano when he attacked the government. This meeting is only the first confirmation of the Nano–Meta crisis. The meeting the following day between the two protagonists in the prime minister’s office, which lasted about three hours, shows that the former old adversaries in the PS had difficulty clearing the air. As reliable sources told us, Nano said that Meta himself acknowledges the existence of corruption by declaring war on the phenomenon; therefore, it is also incumbent on the leader of the party in power to oppose it. Even though, by talking about corruption, Nano distances the party from it and places the blame on the government, which in fact bears the main responsibility, since it controls the economy—the inexhaustible source of bribery and embezzlement. The clash between Nano and Meta that lasted through last week, if it is no longer a mere fantasy, has certainly emerged at the wrong time. Given that local elections are due in September, the two Socialist leaders could give Berisha no more valuable gift than the outbreak of a conflict between them. Secondly, the Socialists and Nano himself will lose many points in the eyes of international opinion if there is a move towards a Çeço government (the fifth in three years), which at the very least demonstrates an inability to govern. Likewise, at the very least, it demonstrates an inability to govern. Likewise, it is well known that very few would gain from this duel, since Meta, unlike in the Majko case, enjoys strong support in the PS and will not be toppled, as his [unclear] predicted. He does not [unclear] predicted. He refuses to fall into the same trap, where the bruises take five years to heal. Worse still, if the two Socialists return to the days of deep hostility, it is clear how much energy will be channelled in a negative direction until the end of the mandate on 29 June. There is one thing that could keep the crater from erupting to the surface. Nano and Meta are both pragmatists, and are unlikely to do Berisha such a great favour.

Page 2 Prime Minister Meta, Greek Ambassador Malias and Minister for Albania, Milo

On Sunday, 20 February, the Democrats will take over Skënderbej Square On Sunday the DP announced its biggest rally in the three years of Socialist rule, commemorating the toppling of the bust of dictator Enver Hoxha. According to sources inside Berisha’s headquarters, the rally will be held in Skënderbej Square. The signatory of Public Order [unclear] has warned that it will not allow the Democrats’ gathering in Skënderbej Square. Police sources have stated that large numbers of police officers will take strict measures to prevent Berisha from entering the square, although the same was said last Saturday by Minister Poçi; nevertheless, the DP took control of Tirana, marching along the main boulevard. This Sunday’s test will show who is more credible: Berisha or Spartak Poçi.