If we want a strict rule-of-law state, police salaries must be increased. Otherwise, a police officer cannot work for 10,000 lekë a month

By ALEKSANDËR ÇIPA The discordant electoral chorus of the political forces has lately taken to the campaign “polyphony.” So far, the passage of voices from both sides, with their respective content, sounds to citizens more than anything like the song of the “unpaid debt.” Their performance has begun with the “refrain” of accounting records. The Socialists, as holders of central power, are stepping up their opposition to the opposition’s local officeholders. Meanwhile, the opposition keeps repeating its denunciatory song against the “looters.” Until citizens cast their votes, the Socialists and Democrats, besides being in opposite positions as holders of office, will present even more accusations and insults about each other’s records before public opinion. At the same time, for political gain, they will blacken “local and central government” as they see fit. In the name of “reflection,” they will also try to demonstrate that they deserve renewed confidence to administer tomorrow’s government. This picture, normal as it may appear, in fact makes one sad at the absence of any genuine reflection. The mayor of Shkodër, Bari Borici, recently declared that he would not run again for a second term, underscoring, in a challenge of sincerity: “Failure to keep promises.” By contrast, Tirana’s mayor, Albert Brojka, is said to be willing to run again, but lacks his party’s support as its well-known “spoilsport.” Both cases are noteworthy in the context of the selective candidate choices the main competing political forces claim to be making. Yet, in light of this, the leading figures of today’s politics, Nano and Berisha, seem to sidestep their obligation regarding what we have called “the song of the unpaid debt.” Naturally, their record is more far-reaching in this context, and as such it does not rule out the possibility of a reverse challenge. For while Socialist leader Nano is reminded of his promise “about the pyramid-scheme money,” Democratic leader Berisha is saddled with responsibility for “their destruction,” as well as for having been the “administrator” of local government up to now. In their performance so far, both leaders give more space to showcasing their records and propagandistically exaggerating what has been done. At the same time, in tones of continuing aggressiveness, they display a stubborn approach to governing, each according to his own interpretation of the confrontation between the two levels of government. In this traditionally intense contest, today’s elections plainly offer voters the alternative of choosing selectively when granting a mandate to those called “doers.” In this electoral offer, deserving people have a clear opportunity: the reflective side or the capable one. Their growing numbers may make it possible for Albania’s transition, in its manifestation through the exercise of power, to become more humane; consequently, this era and its name may be expelled from our reality through the vote.

Patten: “Albania has made clear progress in recent months” Meeting between Prime Minister Meta and EU Commissioner for External Relations Chris Patten page 2