The backstage of yesterday’s PS congress, Blushi: Rama turned left. Malaj, critical Delegates' text message to Rama: “Put the traitors in the presidium” The PS leader speaks like a prime minister, deals with Berisha, but on no occasion mentions Ilir Meta By Anila Basha Edi Rama must have felt uneasy when a message arrived on his BlackBerry phone while Blendi Klosi was calling up to the presidium all those who would appear before hundreds of congress delegates. And although the PS chairman thought everything would go his way, things did not seem so good in the hall below, where people, besides seeing the façade, did not know what was happening behind the scenes, that is, they did not really know about the clashes of everyone so that the proceedings of this congress would be in order. “Alright, I understand everything in the selection of the people in the presidium, but I do not understand why you have placed there, from Vlora, that lady who voted against our candidate in the District Council meeting for heading the district?” The message came from one of the delegates from the Vlora district, in fact, a very important figure in the party. At this moment, while Blendi Klosi continued speaking at the congress podium, Edi Rama, gripping his phone tightly, keeps reading the message and leans back a little as if to see what was written, perhaps also surprised by what he was reading. And apparently he sends back a terse reply, which is a bit difficult to read because of where we are. Something like “I don’t know.” It was about Mimoza Arapi, who at the PS congress stood beside Gramoz Ruçi on his left, a blond lady, the mayor of Konispol, and of Delvina, dressed elegantly and full of charm, exactly like a congress delegate ought to be for the next four years. Mrs. Arapi, the mayor of Konispol, was at the head of the presidium, but for the group of delegates from Vlora this was almost unacceptable. There were problems. Only a month earlier, when Vlora “tragically” lost by a landslide the head of the District Council, while candidate Brunilda Mesini was the PS proposal, and the chairman of the PS in the Vlora district publicly resigned at a press conference, accusing Edi Rama of lacking internal democracy in the party and... Continues on page 2 In the photo: The PS congress proceedings

Editorial By Arben Rrozhani To be continued... The color of yesterday’s congress of the Socialist Party was black, ideal for a funeral, to escort to the final resting place the division, the electorate’s distrust in the defense of the popular vote, the suspicion that Rama is an inclusive leader, and the impatience with the offer of different governance. But the funeral of the PS, which we do not want to be, has not buried the “janazah”. From today everything is “To be continued”. The sides within the largest party of the left are just as divided even after the latest congress. The “enemies” are today just as anti-PS as they were yesterday, they will campaign as before, they will be accused of playing Berisha’s game. The congress did not assure the left-wing electorate that it votes that it will be defended, that it will not happen as on 28 June 2009, or as happened in the municipality of Tirana, because this is a surrender to those who in reality did not receive the vote, who pretend to govern. The funeral of the PS, which we do not want to be, has not buried the “janazah”. From today everything is “To be continued” Edi Rama did not dare promise that he would be the inclusive leader who unites all currents and ideas within his party and beyond it. He did not say that he would make an all-inclusive alliance, why not even with the LSI. Edi Rama presented himself and spoke as the manager of the future central government. Promising everything that has been denied or stolen from Albanians since 2005. But the people he has brought close, who will make the long-awaited change, are they not the same ones we had until September 2005, at the head of Nano’s kleptocracy. Today is a new day, but yesterday’s Socialist history is “To be continued...”

Interview Page 5 Pëllumbi: Rama’s speech was populist By Arben Rrozhani

DRAFT BUDGET NATO requires 2% of GDP from the budget The government cuts defence funds by 10%, obligation is violated By Genc Kondi In the document that came up two days ago at the government’s extraordinary meeting on the Draft Budget, the Executive has taken a bold step in the face of... On page 8

FORUM Dritëro Agolli enters by consensus and without a vote The assembly list is clarified; Nano’s supporters join in By Anila Basha The Socialists are keeping their word about the great unity within themselves, what they need according to Edi Rama in order to win the 2013 elections. The list of those selected to be voted onto the Assembly of the Socialist Party, a counting process that will have to continue all night, is full of names that once belonged to former collaborators of Fatos Nano and who in one way or another have been sidelined by the PS. Names such as Anastasi Angjeli, Agron Duka... On page 3

Page 13 The 19-year-old thrown out of the house revealed he was gay Page 15 Artist Isufi: Buza is wrong, the punishments were not with words

Page 12 The results of the various analyses, the fault of the equipment Page 14 Shefqet Vërlaci, how he donated 1,000 hectares to the Italian general

Page 11 The tragedy in Italy, the Albanian father who lost his family tells his story Page 10 Domestic violence, 100 cases counted in eight months

SHQIPTARJA.com Extends its greetings to all Muslim believers who celebrate KURBAN BAJRAM

SHQIPTARJA.com Will return to print for its readers on Tuesday, November 8, 2011