The loss of six Socialist MPs and Minister Ruka shakes relations within the governing majority Rama: They should have made room for others to be elected The loss of six Socialist MPs and Minister Ruka shakes relations within the governing majority PS: The minister and the MPs proved to be insatiable Rama: They should have made room for others to be elected page 3

BY GAVROSH LEVONJA What stood out most in the elections for the leadership of PS branches in various cities was the defeat of many well-known names in this party. To some extent, this is connected with the dissatisfaction of the party base with its leadership’s policies over the past three years. The truth is that the Socialist base has often found itself penalized as a result of the games played by Nano and someone else, who have failed to show the necessary respect for the votes of rank-and-file Socialists. Above all, however, the protest vote cast by Socialist activists is primarily connected with their own poor work in party activities, especially as regards their relations with the base. On the other hand, almost all those punished at PS conferences in the districts have also been MPs from this party. Thus, it cannot be ruled out that their shortcomings in terms of party activity were compounded by the sin of failing to honor the commitments they made to the electorate three years ago. Even the most fanatical activist cannot vote once again for an individual who has disappointed them by abusing that vote in the most brazen way, exploiting it solely to secure personal benefits. In these circumstances, their defeat can be considered a double loss. It is true that they will still have a year left on their terms as MPs, but in practice they have lost the right to represent the electorate that once voted for them. The fact is that, being unable to regain the trust of activists at party meetings, they can no longer be said to have the credibility of a much broader segment that makes up the Socialist electorate. It is also unlikely that any of this category of elected officials has ever gone to learn about voters’ problems; one can imagine what might be said about their commitment to solving those problems. But, leaving these aspects aside, the punishment of former elected officials in PS local forums shows an increase in the level of political maturity of the Socialist electorate, which is now showing that it has learned to use its vote. In the face of such an electorate, electoral promises or any kind of demagoguery are a powerless, outdated weapon. In such a situation, for the Socialist leadership to do something, it must remove from the scene the new faces, with the desire to compete untainted by dubious affairs, in order to compete with dignity.

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