The Constitution remains a priority for PD Approval of the Constitution through a referendum, the Democratic Institution legitimized on 6 November NO to early elections Changes in the state and party administrations

. Yesterday, in one of the halls of the National Historical Museum, the National Council of the PD met to analyze the results of the referendum held on 6 November on the Draft Constitution submitted for approval. The meeting was chaired by the leader of the PD, Mr. Eduard Selami, who also delivered the opening address. First, Mr. Selami invited the members of the National Council to… present their views on the outcome of the referendum, as well as on possible ways of providing Albania as soon as possible with a Constitution acceptable to the majority of Albanians. Taking the floor afterwards, Mr. Sali Berisha said that he wished to emphasize once again the importance this referendum had for Albanian democracy. “We emerged from this referendum more democratic than we were,” he said. In his speech, Mr. Berisha also focused on the message that Albanians had sent to the PD and its government with their vote. The chairman of the PD parliamentary group, Mr. Ali Spahia, presented to the National Council the alternatives the PD had offered in order to reach a consensus with representatives of the minority on the draft Constitution: a new multiparty commission, which would also include local and foreign specialists and would be headed by a non-partisan specialist chosen by consensus. As for the constitutional model concerning the separation of powers, the PD is willing to accept a model found in 15 constitutions of EU countries, which have proven effective in European democracies. A second alternative, if the political forces were interested in providing the country with a Constitution as soon as possible, would… …one of the Constitutions of the 15 countries of the European Union would be chosen. After debates over the number of commission members, all the political forces agreed that the PD would be represented by 8 members, the PS by 4, the PSD by 2, and the PR, PDNJ, PDD and PAD by 1 member each. It was also agreed that this commission would report to Parliament on its work every week. Questions and discussion by the participants followed. In general, the analysis focused on the causes that led Albanians to cast protest votes. Shortcomings in local and central government, corruption—which, although it may be exaggerated by the opposition, does exist in certain areas—and delays in implementing laws, such as those on compensation for the formerly persecuted or the return of property, were among the main causes cited by speakers in connection with the protest vote. Other reasons listed for the Constitution’s failure to be approved included certain provisions that needed to be amended in the draft, the opposition’s negative, deceptive and harsh propaganda against the draft Constitution, etc. Regarding the latter, the National Council meeting highlighted clear evidence confirming deceptions by opposition leaders, which had not been presented before. One of the most blatant cases was in a commune in Mat, where a person sent by the head of the PS was collecting villagers’ signatures, promising that aid would be sent to them if they voted against the Constitution. As was verified, the person was simply a fraudster. In any case, the speakers focused on (Continued on page 2)

. Abridged from the speech delivered by the chairman of PDSH, Mr. Eduard Selami. At the very beginning of his speech, the chairman of PDSH, Mr. Eduard Selami, recognizing the value of the referendum as an institution, considered it important to analyze its results. “We have gathered here,” said Mr. Selami, “to analyze the causes of the result on 6 November, as well as the paths we should follow in the future. Before we begin the discussions…” [text omitted in source] “…the result and ways to overcome them. Briefly. First, we believe this is connected with the inefficiency of our local and central government. Second, in my opinion the most important factor is the concerns of the opposition. On 6 November, the people gave us a message. Therefore, we must restructure the government and its work as soon as possible… to solve some urgent problems and fight corruption forcefully at every level. Likewise, we must also correct our foreign policy, especially toward our neighbors, members of the European Community. At Albania’s present stage of economic and political development, Italy and Greece are of particular importance. - We will strongly encourage the line of approving the Constitution, and I am personally taking up the initiative. To this end, we requested the establishment of a Parliamentary Constitutional Commission (details from Mr. Spahia) and the drafting of a new draft Constitution. We still stand by approving the Constitution by referendum, and on this point we were unanimous. But once again I want to stress that, alongside drafting the Constitution, we must also move forward with reviewing those issues that are on the agenda, and tell those who say ‘no’—our electorate—that we are able to repair the things they asked us to. rightly expect us to address. At the meeting of the Presidium, the following were voted on and agreed: 1. Establishment of a Parliamentary Constitutional Commission. 2. No early elections. 3. Approval of the Constitution by referendum. Thank you! PARLIAMENT — THE CONSTITUTION ON THE AGENDA The parliamentary group leaders reached agreement by consensus… On Monday, a meeting of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly was held together with the parliamentary group leaders Ali Spahia, Namik Dokle and Skender Gjinushi. After discussing the agenda, which was set by consensus, it was also agreed by consensus that: 1. First of all, a new parliamentary commission should be established to draft the Constitution of the Republic of Albania, with the participation of the parliamentary groups and all political forces represented in the Assembly. 2. This commission will draw up its work program and deadlines and will report to the Assembly every week on progress and any problems that arise. The commission will work primarily by consensus and, where consensus is absent, by a two-thirds majority. 3. The Commission will also include an equal number of Albanian specialists, and specialist consultants from the Council of Europe and the Venice Commission will also be invited. The chairman of the PS group, Namik Dokle, proposed that the opposition should have a majority on the commission. The chairman of the PD group, Ali Spahia, proposed that the Commission be composed in proportion to the parties’ representation in the Assembly. After extensive discussion, the Speaker of the Presidium of the Assembly, Pjeter Arbnori, presented a compromise proposal, which was unanimously accepted. According to Mr. Arbnori’s proposal, the Commission will consist of 8 PD deputies, 4 PS deputies, 2 PSD deputies, one PR deputy, one PBDNJ deputy, and one PAD deputy. Experts will also be nominated by the respective parties in these proportions. PRESS AND INFORMATION OFFICE OF THE PEOPLE’S ASSEMBLY Tirana, 15.11.1994 the PDSH, Mr. Ed uard Selami, while evaluating the institution of the referendum, considered an analysis of its results important. “We have gathered here,” Mr. Selami said, “to analyze the causes of the result of November 6, future. Before we begin the discussions, I would like to present to you some of the views expressed and conclusions reached at the meeting of the PDSH Presidency held yesterday afternoon on this issue, as well as the concrete political actions.” The Presidency was unanimous in its view that the causes of this result were twofold: 1. Those connected with the draft Constitution and the campaign. 2. Those connected with the referendum and our policy during these three years in government. As for the first part, relating to the Constitution and the campaign, it should be said that although, when we concluded the campaign on November 4, we had the right to say that we had run a very good campaign in terms of meetings and open rallies, this was not accompanied by small meetings and explanations of certain “hot” articles of the Constitution. We held no door-to-door meetings, or very few. We were disorganized at the polling stations and in voter registration. Many of our people remained unregistered. So, as the Democratic Party, we accept responsibility in this regard. Likewise, in the South, the article concerning the heads of religious communities also had an impact; this article was criticized by the Council of Europe as well. But we believe that one message of the November 6 Referendum also concerned our work as a PD government over these three years. No one can deny the achievements; we will not dwell on them this time, but on the shortcomings that we believe had a negative impact on this

. Speech by President Berisha to the National Council of PDSH. The PD must bear in mind that building a living, true democracy in Albania in Albania. If we analyze the situation in light of this objective, we can confidently say that 6 November is a landmark day in the history of Albanian democracy. Because 6 November… So what are the Party’s objectives? As a centre-right party, it should seek its alliances, excluding a coalition with the socialists. Therefore, it is important for the PD Presidium to define its new alliances. It is wrong to think that we do not need this or that alliance. This practice must change. An alliance and coalition with… the socialists is out of the question! That is settled! I said at a press conference, and I will always say, that among the 53% who voted against, they did not vote either for extremism or for communist nostalgia. A certain proportion of them voted because they wanted another version of the Constitution. We will undoubtedly find understanding on this, since we have offered some of the most democratic solutions. Our mission is to build democracy. Among those who voted in the referendum there was also a proportion of protesters, who protested because they had not received their property; for example, the persecuted had not received the compensation to which they are entitled by law. These people sent the PD a signal. Their message is that the administration everywhere must work efficiently and give them the property and compensation to which they are entitled. Meanwhile, a not insignificant proportion voted against because they had seen a minister or mayor looking after his own interests, the chairman of a PD branch working for his own power, and had witnessed privileges and displays of corruption, to which the people are very sensitive. Cases of corruption must be identified, uncovered and punished, and the PD must have no hesitation about this. This is not about silencing criticism. No! That is not the primary aim. The primary aim is to adhere to those moral values that every individual in a civilized society carries. Today, the PD is once again offering profoundly democratic solutions to the problem of the Constitution. To this end, we have offered consensus on choosing, as the form of separation of powers, one of the 15 forms used in the 15 EU countries. By offering consensus and taking a constructive position, we categorically reject any kind of diktat, whether from the far left or the far right. Alongside this, I want to stress that all political forces and individuals must respect the rules of democracy. In this respect, the demand for early elections clearly demonstrates the fever of careerism and will not be taken into consideration—not because the PD is afraid of elections, but because respecting institutions elected by free vote for the term prescribed by law is an unchangeable condition for a true democracy. In conclusion, I invite you to work actively to correct harmful phenomena and support the consolidation of democracy. The PD must bear in mind that building a genuine, true democracy in Albania is and remains a major mission for all democratic forces in Albania. Analyzing the situation through the lens of this objective, we can confidently say that November 6 is a historic day in the history of Albanian democracy. For November 6 marked the day of the first Albanian Referendum, the establishment of a deeply democratic institution, and credit belongs to those Albanian democratic forces that supported it. On this occasion, I want to assure you that the PD and the other democratic forces will remain unwavering. They demonstrated their great commitment to building a true democracy and to the adoption of the Constitution by Referendum. It is to their great credit, and to the credit of Albanian democracy, that, putting party interests aside, they chose the most democratic path—that of the Referendum—thereby turning with complete confidence to the people; and we will always turn to them on major issues. In this respect, the referendum is an important victory for Albanian democracy. It belonged to the democrats, to all those who emerged from dictatorship, and I think that in this respect the PD has made an undeniable contribution to democratic values and to Albanian democracy. The referendum, not only as an institution that was entirely lawful, but also the submission of the Constitution to a Referendum, is one of the most democratic practices of developed countries. The constitutions of the USA, Spain, Switzerland, France and many, many other democratic countries have been adopted through this practice. The forces attacking the referendum today are the same forces that were once persecutors of the individual and now want to become persecutors of an entire people. But I think we have not gathered here to analyze the Referendum as such, but to analyze its results. Did we get the result we expected in this Referendum? We did not get the result we expected in this Referendum. The factors must be sought in the functioning of the PD itself. A very great responsibility lies with the Democratic Party, from the Presidency down to the branches, sections and lower levels. The time has come for all PD structures to think more about the mistakes and failures in their work, because the result of the Referendum was an alarm signal for all the structures of this party, both governmental and non-governmental. Nevertheless, the situation is by no means desperate, in the sense that 42% of the electorate voted for the centre-right.

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