More and more, politicians are becoming representatives of the wealthy minority, turning their backs on the poor majority

The latest meeting of the Socialist Party’s decision-making forum can be said to have shed light on some of the political paths the pink formation will follow before and after the June elections. Seemingly by chance, but I think Chairman Nano’s stated ambition to win more than 60 percent is the key to clarifying both Nano’s presidential dream and the moves he has planned to undertake in order to achieve it. This becomes even clearer if we bear in mind that, in its second year, the next Parliament will have to elect the new President with 60 percent of the deputies, pursuant to Article 84 of the Constitution. So, this is where all the motives that have fueled Nano’s considerable greed originated—a greed that, as rarely before, compelled him to reveal his intentions well in advance. To achieve this aim, he is trying to build compromises with the most powerful and troublesome group, led by the Prime Minister. The steps reflecting Nano’s desire for compromise have been evident not only in the free hand he has given Meta in all government reshuffles, but also in the proposal he put forward at the Steering Committee, that candidates for parliament would compete with projects. It is not at all difficult to understand that this means Meta’s supporters will be favored, because, coming from the administration, they are better placed to succeed in a competition based on projects. Likewise, Nano, knowing Gjinushi well as a master at gaining advantage even when he has nothing, is trying—and will continue trying—to minimize the PSD’s result as much as possible, so as not to have to face the enormous appetites Gjinushi may display. It seems that in these elections Gjinushi will pay for all the enjoyable games he has played up to now, which have brought considerable benefits to him and his party. The relations between Nano and Berisha are worth explaining; in this instance, too, they have shown signs that they will retain their old characteristics. In other words, open hostility will be maintained on the surface, while common interests will generate mutual support behind the scenes. The way they are behaving will, among other things, help realize Nano’s aims. An opposition with more than 40 percent could not vote for Nano as President, and Berisha is acting so that he will not be forced to openly obstruct Nano’s objectives. Berisha’s policy can only be explained by his undiminished hope that he reasons a Nano presidency would make it easier for a Berisha presidency to be accepted once again. (Continued on page 4)

The dancer Hujeda El Saied last night at the presentation of her book “The Color of My Skin,” presented at the Third Book Fair Photo P. ILO The dancer Hujeda El Saied last night at the presentation of her book “The Color of My Skin,” presented at the Third Book Fair. Photo P. ILO

Page 3 Late-breaking news At the height of the spectacle, at around 10:30 p.m., the most important national event being held at the Palace of Congresses was left in darkness. Never before had the national song festival—which brings together all Albanians around the world—been left without electricity for more than 10 minutes. As people began to leave, the singers and the show’s presenters waited for the lights to come back on and continued the show to the end. The festival organizers have begun praying that there will be lights on the final night.

The FRESH company and KOHA JONE are giving away a free calendar today for Christmas with the newspaper “Koha Jonë”