The National Radio and Television Council, elected by Parliament, has turned into an administrative environment for the people of the SP chairman Apostol Noti is simultaneously a member of the NRTC, chief of staff and adviser to Sefedin Çela, owner of a company for radio and television antennas, financially connected to Tele Norba, and, last but most importantly, is the cousin of the leader of the Socialists page 2

BY GAVROSH LEVONJA In these first days, when the two main parties have thrown themselves wholeheartedly into the electoral battle to secure victory in the 1 October elections, a somewhat greater liveliness is noticeable in the Socialists’ activities, while a certain apathy can be observed in the Democratic camp. Certainly, one factor here is the belated hesitation in getting the engines running among the leadership bodies of the largest opposition party, regarding the shaping of the strategy to be used to defeat Nano and Meta’s Socialists, including the formation of the slate of candidates who will seek the electorate’s votes. Specifically, the DP completed its candidate lists only a few days ago, falling almost three weeks behind the Socialists. On the other hand, the Democratic leader Berisha will begin his election tour only tomorrow, while his Socialist opponent Nano has visited several of the country’s main cities, including the “enemy” city of Shkodra. But another handicap that negatively affects efforts to make the DP campaign more colourful is that everything is once again expected to be done by Berisha, not to mention his absolute monopolisation of the party. While leaving the assessment and selection of candidates competing for local power to grassroots structures has borne fruit, enlivening life in this party’s branches and sub-branches, it cannot be said that the same has happened in the DP’s senior leadership, including Berisha’s closest associates. Topalli, Bode, Gjana and others’ frequent contacts with the electorate in recent months can be said to have come too late for them to establish themselves before the electorate as influential figures or even simply as messengers. In fact, both when it comes to softening the “deeds” and “disasters” of those in power and presenting alternatives, everything is, for the first time, articulated through Berisha’s own words. Certainly, here Berisha and his party are paying the price for the absence of the unforgettable Azem Hajdari. If we recall 1997, it was Hajdari who campaigned throughout southern Albania. Under these circumstances, the Democratic leader oso will also be the absolute protagonist of the entire DP campaign, but with the risk of giving it monotonous overtones, or, alternatively, of reconciling himself to its inevitable lacklustre nature.

Yesterday, before the Journalism entrance exam Photo: P. LLO

Saturday, 6:00 p.m., in Vlorë, rally at the Sports Palace

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