ERE: Now ready to raise the tariffs CEZ insists: Pay the debt Ramadani’s warning after the Czech company’s secret letter ERE: Now ready to raise the tariffs CEZ insists: Pay the debt “CEZ did not reduce losses, we are in court over the debts. The government will reconsider the tariff increase, after the request from the electricity distribution company”

Analysis BY AFRIM KRASNIQI The missing rebirth In a functioning democracy, the political opposition has an important constitutional and political role. It enjoys protection mechanisms (parliamentary participation, local government, joint working groups, state protocol), and also has concrete responsibilities (oversight of government, alternative proposals, space for political representation and chances of rotation in power). In Albanian parliamentary practice we have had several opposition models: symbolic (with 25% of MPs), matured (with 40% of MPs), aggressive (parliamentary boycotts), constructive (cooperative on fundamental decisions), and its political fortunes have been determined by factors such as the behavior of the majority and the opposition’s ability to respond to politics and the interests of the day. In 2012 Albania has the largest opposition numerically in Europe. Nowhere else is the difference between the governing party and the opposition party so narrow, only 1-2 MPs. We are the only country where the party with more votes does not lead in parliamentary seats, because of the tactical schemes of the electoral system. The opposition runs most of the big cities, half of local government, and has representative access in all political institutions. An opposition with such numerical representation is an asset for the country and a great opportunity for parliamentary and political life very different from the mistaken practices of the transition. Democracy is not only numbers, and the case of the Albanian opposition proves this once again. Today’s opposition, more than a power alternative, behaves at times as part of power, at times as an appendage, at times as a political victim and at times as a missionary of change. Strangely, it has given up the main parliamentary mechanism of the opposition, ... continues on page 22

After CEZ Shpërndarje declared that it had run out of funds because the Albanian authorities had violated the terms of the agreement with it, the Regulatory Entity has expressed readiness to negotiate an increase in electricity tariffs. These had been frozen for the 2012-2014 period. TIRANE Genc Kondi The Energy Regulatory Entity (ERE) is ready to raise electricity consumption tariffs for all categories of customers. This was acknowledged yesterday, in an interview for Shqiptarja.com, by ERE chairman Sokol Ramadani. These tariffs had been frozen for three years, at the end of 2011. Two days earlier, with... continues on pages 2-3

Celebrations EXCLUSIVE Government decision: Shakira in Tirana 2 billion lek we give for Independence Page 24

The court leaves the cashier’s and jeweler’s killer in prison. The story in 2005, sentenced because he stole the sink washers’ money GUSHI’S TESTIMONY IN COURT TIRANE Elton Qyno Viktor Gushi, the author of 16 armed robberies, two murders and two injuries committed in the capital, has been isolated in prison. Gushi showed remorse before the court, but his remorse came very late; meanwhile it was taken into account by the court, which decided to leave the 37-year-old in prison indefinitely... Pages 8-9

Relics of “Vatra” discovered. Albania 1901, a bone of contention between Italy and Austria Pages 13-20

Hazizaj: Spies are at the highest levels of politics Pages 6-7

How Albanians were dispossessed in 1945 Page 21

www.shqiptarja.com

The economy roundtables: here are the businessmen of PD and PS Page 4

17 beaches are dirty, do not swim in Durrës and Golem Pages 10-11

“BB5”, Klaudia leaves the house, Vlashi and Anila are eliminated Page 12

... always one step ahead... Nachos and Mexican chips served with the corresponding sauces and cheese Address: Tirana-Durrës Highway, km 7, Yzberisht Tirana; Tel: 042 406 500; 042 406 501; Fax 042 406 502; e-mail: neranxi@neranxi.com; www.neranxi.com