Majority rule - better programs, better candidates
Interview with the chairman of the PDSh, Tritan Shehu
The majority electoral law confirms before the electorate not only the programs of different political forces but also the people who will materialize those programs.
The majority law makes people choose not only better programs but also better candidates. With this kind of system, the candidate-electorate relationship is very strong, something that is missing in the proportional law. Under the majority system, political forces engage directly with the people before the electorate, which does not happen under the proportional law. So a political force that prefers to compete under majority rule shows only its strength as a program and as a human potential.
“RD”: June 29 has been spoken of as the day of the upcoming elections, yet you have also spoken about certain preliminary conditions?
Tritan Shehu: This is because the Democratic Party is preparing intensively to hold elections within the deadline set by the March 9 agreement between the political parties. The Democratic Party is working with its structures in every direction. For this reason, it is ready to face the election campaign, to win the upcoming elections, to present the best candidates, to be well organized in terms of organization and public relations. Therefore, we have taken this matter seriously and are working intensively in this direction.
We are determined to abide without wavering by the agreements signed with the political parties. But on the other hand, I want to say that the Democratic Party considers it essential to have a completely democratic and free environment during the elections and during the campaign, because only in this way will stability be created for the future, only in this way will Albania be able to develop democratically and move along the road of European civilization.
I will say that there are two of the most important elements that I can consider for this period in order to ensure democratic elections: first, the free movement of people, the free activity of groups for all political forces throughout the country. If we analyze the situation today, we see that from March 9 until now, little improvement has been made in this regard. This is related to the dominance in some cities of certain forces that hinder the free movement of political parties. In those cities this makes it impossible for anything other than the functioning of the political forces of the far left. This significantly harms the democratic electorate in an election campaign and in the elections; creating equal conditions for all political forces during the campaign and up to the elections. This is essential, this is a fundamental condition.
It seems completely normal to me that political forces, competing for every international institution, should have conditions for a free and democratic election campaign.
“RD”: It was said that Mr. Minolli of the Vlora crisis could not come to run in Vlora; do you think this has an impact in Vranica [?]?
Tritan Shehu: The atmosphere in Vlora is generally worrying. It is not normal to have incidents, damage to the offices of political parties, and problems with their free movement, and not to have a completely normal environment for holding democratic elections. I must say that the Democratic Party has worked in this direction and has made efforts to reduce tensions. Contacts have also been made with the OSCE mission and other missions present in Albania. I believe that these contacts and efforts will produce their effects.
“RD”: What preparations is the PD making for the new elections?
Tritan Shehu: The Democratic Party is working in many directions. First, there is the work of organizational preparation at the grassroots level. Second, there is the work of preparing the infrastructure for the election campaign. Third, there is the work of selecting the best candidates. Fourth, there is the work on the electoral program. Fifth, there is the work of creating the broadest possible alliance with the entire political spectrum that wants democracy, the integrity of Albania and its development.
“RD”: What is your concept of electoral law?
Tritan Shehu: I think the fairest electoral law in Albanian conditions is the majority law. This law gives a stronger link between the candidate and the area in which he runs. The majority law puts political forces to a greater test not only through their programs but also through the people they present. For me this is a major advantage of this law. The majority law forces the political force to choose better, more prepared people who are more closely linked to the electorate. Under the proportional law, the candidate-electorate relationship is much weaker.
Especially, judgment must be made on the need for stable governance after political elections, and it will be clear that majority political forces will have the opportunity to implement their programs. In this way, the blockages brought about by the proportional system will be avoided.
The Democratic Party has considered this concept important, since the majority system will create stronger and more stable governments for the country.
“RD”: If the Democratic Party wins, what coalition are you ready for?
Tritan Shehu: We are for cooperation with political forces that are committed to democracy, the integrity of Albania and its European orientation. We want the broadest possible alliance, but on principled bases.
“RD”: A large part of the PD electorate views the communists’ return to power with suspicion. What do you think?
Tritan Shehu: Albanians need stability, economic development and order. They do not need backward turns. Therefore we believe that our program is the best alternative for the country.
“RD”: How do you assess relations with the international factor?
Tritan Shehu: Albania needs the support of its international partners, and this support is essential for overcoming the crisis and for the country’s development. We are for full transparency and close cooperation with European institutions.