DIVERSITY BUT NOT OPPOSITION WITHIN THE PARTY
- Unknown, but moving toward this kind of PD clique
07.08.92
It is not yet two years since the PD, with 11 TV, began to shine as a great hope for Albanians. We have grown used to thinking often that this period of opposition is still short and that perhaps our own claims may be too. But it has happened that this time has been enough to enrich us with many experiences that now and in the future will be valuable for each of us, for all those who feel the responsibility of the great burden of governing, and no less for a party that came to power after a long period in opposition.
What makes us think about this is the fact that we have not only witnessed the unscrupulous struggle of opponents who could not tolerate the victory of a force with which they should have come to terms. Here the easiest thing is to attack them in the name of justice. Much more difficult is to understand how we ourselves act in such cases, what happens to us after this victory. This is completely natural. Such an unexpected victory is unexpected not only for the losers but also for the winners. Naturally, the winners may also not be entirely ready to manage such a victory.
The freedom gained through it is, after all, responsibility and duty. Nothing is given to you forever. It gains value when the ability to behave as such is born as well. Just as it appeared on the Albanian scene on 12 December 1990, the PD has tried to become the largest political center in the country. The elections of 22 March are clear proof of this. That does not mean that all problems have now been solved for it. On the contrary. It now has much greater responsibilities than yesterday. It has responsibility for itself, for its membership, for its allies, for its supporters and for the whole country. In this sense it must know how to preserve the diversity of opinions, but not turn into a nest of internal oppositions that harm it.
In every democratic party it is normal to have different opinions, nuances, tendencies, debate. This enriches the party and gives it life. But diversity is one thing and organized opposition within the party is another. Such a thing can bring nothing but paralysis, damage to its authority and a waste of energy at a time when the country needs clarity and determination. This is even more true for a party that has emerged from opposition and taken control of the state in a very difficult time.
Therefore, in the PD the spirit of unity around the program must be strengthened, along with respect for its institutions, free but proper debate, and conscious discipline. Any attempt to create groups, cliques, or internal oppositions not only does not help, but weakens the party in the face of its duties. Today the country needs an organized force, open and modern, but also capable of making decisions. This is the true meaning of diversity in a democratic party.