Mimoza Arbëri’s presence at Edi Rama’s meeting at the Palace of Congresses threatens to render the Central Election Commission incapable of functioning page 5

Last night’s duel on TV Klan between the two leading candidates for the capital’s Municipality was the most interesting mini-show of the daily newspaper, with “monster” Rama emerging the winner, having defeated the mild-mannered Besnik Mustafaj. Naturally, Edi Rama had the advantage of being the attacker on PD’s turf, since Tirana has been mismanaged for eight years by Democratic Party mayors, while individual responsibility did not fall on the shoulders of ... the ambassador wearing the blue shirt. The debate, although difficult, was well moderated by journalist Fevziu, who yesterday also resigned as a municipal councilor for Rama under the umbrella of the Socialist Party, returning to his work as a left-wing commentator at a right-wing newspaper such as “Albania.” Nevertheless, the contest began with a fierce but professional attack by Mustafaj, which caused Minister Rama to falter; he had not expected such an immediate blow, and fortunately it was not in Berisha’s style. After that, the debate—which deserves praise for the organizers’ idea—settled into a burdensome monotony for the interested Tirana audience, as well as for the rest of the country. Candidate Rama, who never shies away from a duel, struck hard for the sake of the debate, all the more so because behind Mustafaj Edi saw Berisha’s imposing shadow. Perhaps his imagination brought to mind that he was one of the first founders of the PD and that he was later beaten under PD rule. So he turned into a “monster,” although the section of the hall occupied by the PD wanted to make him clearly stand out in the room. Knowing that the progress of the campaign in the remaining days would also depend on the points earned in last night’s debate, Edi Rama took advantage of his rival Mustafaj, during a discussion that went on for four years and then, once, turned serious and public, ending with the words “he shouldn’t go with his wife” (?). Last night, experience had no effect. The points won in the debate came from each man’s character: Edi, as much a persuasive speaker as a man of action, attacked mercilessly several times, while the mild-mannered ambassador did not know that in an electoral, public duel like this, “you answer a punch with a punch.” Edi Rama uses this tactic very well and turns into a “monster” when he is put face to face, to face, to face [damaged text/uncertain reading] to become one. In any case, the two set a positive example of how leaders should behave when they shook hands with each other—a gesture Nano and Berisha have not made in 10 years, undermining the tolerance so often called for by us and by foreigners alike.

Government alarmed. Two helicopters are arriving from Greece today . By yesterday, 100 hectares of pine forest had been destroyed. Three shepherds suspected of starting the fire are in custody. page 12

After the conflict between Miss Albania and Miss Shqipëria . I want over 5 million lekë for Miss and with Miss. page 11