THE CURRENT POLITICAL REALITY IN ALBANIA IS FAR FROM NEW ELECTIONS
“Interview” / The Chairman of the Democratic Party, Mr. Eduard SELAMI, in connection with the correspondent of the Voice of America, “Rikos,” in Tirana. Editor-in-chief Shkëlzen Maliqi
THE CURRENT POLITICAL REALITY
IN ALBANIA IS FAR FROM
NEW ELECTIONS
“Interview” / The Chairman of the Democratic Party, Mr.
EDUARD SELAMI, in connection with the correspondent of the
“Voice of America,” in Tirana. Editor-in[?] Shk[?]
- Mr. Chairman! It has been almost a year and a half since
the great anti-communist victory, the day when Albanians
voted for change. What is your assessment of the
political reality in Albania?
- There is still a difficult period of transformation,
through which there have been successes and difficulties in
overcoming the dictatorial system. There is a clear movement
toward progress, and it is quite evident that this process
cannot be stopped, despite all the difficulties.
In these year and a half, favorable conditions have matured
for democratic developments in general, because today
Albanians have won full political freedom,
created a much calmer political atmosphere
than the previous one, which was totally dominated
by dictatorship. This period has brought to light the problems
inherited from the past and has shown what obstacles
were left by the communist regime.
Now it is necessary for all political forces to
be aware of their responsibilities. We
believe that there are still forces and groups that seek to
exploit economic hardship for political purposes
and to create artificial tension.
- The PD carries out a very broad counter-offensive propaganda,
[?] as if it were presenting the communists as the sole culprits
for the present situation. Can we single out a number of
such reasons?
- Historical responsibilities are clear. The former
communist regime destroyed the economy, the morality of
society, institutions and free life. This is a
great truth that cannot be covered up. But we are not
for empty propaganda. We are for clarifying reality before citizens.
Of course, not all current difficulties can be explained
only by the past. There are also mistakes,
shortcomings, problems of transition, but the main weight
of the crisis comes from that legacy. Precisely for this
reason it is important not to manipulate public opinio-
n.
- We continue to ask about the actions of the opposition,
its language and the accusations it makes. How do you assess this?
- In our country democracy is still being consolidated.
The opposition has its right, but not the right to
sabotage the democratic process. There is a big difference
between constructive criticism and an attempt to create
permanent political crisis.
We need a serious opposition, not incitement of
social conflict. If every economic and
social difficulty is used for short-term political gain,
society gains nothing. On the contrary, the period
of insecurity is prolonged.
- Finally, do you think Albania is moving toward
new elections?
- No. I do not think that today's political reality in Albania
is such that one can speak of new elections. There are
legitimate institutions and a majority that emerged from free voting.
What is needed is the deepening of reforms, economic
improvement and strengthening of the rule of law, not new
political adventures.