Namik Dokle, Secretary General of the PS: “I do not believe they will meet.” Jozefina Topalli, deputy chairwoman of the Democrats, the latest smear campaign, to meet with the Socialist leader

By FERDINAND XHAFERRI At a time when our country so badly needs to be governed, in one of the most difficult and delicate years of this decade, we are so disoriented that we are trying to turn public opinion, that great steadfast force of democracy, against all its institutions. So this is not an isolated case, but a dangerous symptom. Because the government, the opposition, the independent institutions, the police, the media, are all under the same attack. The time has come to understand that we are in a vicious circle, where harsh words and accusations have become daily fare. It is time for politics to lower the tone and understand that citizens expect solutions, not noise. The latest accusation circulating about the so-called “tripling” of a document from an institution is nothing more than a pretext to further inflame passions. Journalistic smears and brutal intrusions into public life serve no one. On the contrary, they increase distrust and make even more distant the compromises that this country vitally needs to achieve. If you look at it calmly, you will notice that most political protagonists behave as if the public had no memory. But citizens know very well who is responsible for the heated climate and who feeds it for day-to-day interests. For this reason, it is essential that everyone reflects. In the end, no political force has the right to pass off as truth something that is only an allegation. And no media outlet should become an instrument of this degradation of debate. Albania needs clarity, responsibility, and a new standard of public communication.

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Fight in the third hearing; The trial has been postponed again, without being able to begin the investigation The President of SHRF, the unemployed man and Secretary General Stavari yesterday at a press conference Photo p.10 VLORË - Yesterday’s hearing at the Vlora আদালত in the case of the murder of Azem Hajdari turned into another fierce clash between the parties. At the center of media attention was the defendant Zani, who in a raised voice declared that “they will sentence me to death,” describing the trial as prejudged. According to the defense, the successive postponements of the hearings are worsening the atmosphere and fueling doubts about a fair trial. The courtroom also saw debates between lawyers, family members, and representatives of the prosecution, which led to the temporary suspension of the proceedings. On the other hand, the prosecution representatives insisted that the procedures are being followed according to the law and that the court will continue only once conditions are created for the hearing to proceed normally. Meanwhile, outside the court premises, groups of supporters and curious onlookers were also noticed. At a press conference, representatives of SHRF and Secretary General Stavari commented on the progress of the case and called for institutions to guarantee impartiality and security for all parties. Continues on page 10

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