Fryma e re Demokratike is created. Former MPs, former PD officials and former deputy ministers join FRD BAMIR TOPI’S PARTY THE NAMES THAT JOIN IT Promise: We will solve the issue of property and the persecuted. Besnik Mustafaj: It will pull the right wing out of the political atrophy it is in today. The absence of Meksi, co-author of the program, is surprising The news Gazmend Oketa, in an overcrowded hall, announced yesterday at midday the creation of the newest party, Fryma e Demokratike (FRD). Former ministers, former MPs, former deputy ministers, former directors of the PD administration, as well as young people “included” in this party had filled the venue. But the absence of one of the initiators of this party’s program and statute, Aleksandër Meksi, stood out. TIRANA JAKIN MARENA 12:00 p.m. Gazmend Oketa enters the small hall of the party headquarters that he will lead until September... continues on pages 2-3 In the photo: Gazmend Oketa during the founding of FRD In the photo: Gazmend Oketa during the founding of FRD

DONATION Page 12 A 90-year-old dies, leaves Kavaja property worth 1 million euros

Commentary BY AFRIM KRASNIQI Challenges for the new political forces Several well-known figures from the right-wing political camp were yesterday announced as a new political party: Fryma e Re Demokratike (FRD). Its creation had long been anticipated, as had its program and objectives. Formally, FRD will be one of the 120 “competing” political parties in the 2013 parliamentary elections, and the 52nd political party of the right-wing spectrum since 1990. Seen only as a number, few feel the need for a party, or for a new spirit, but seen in essence – under the problem of the (mis)functioning of the democratic state, the condition of the democratic system and the party system – there is no doubt that Albania needs not only a new spirit, but something bigger, a revolution in political behavior, action and representation. In a country with a long communist past, in extreme isolation and with citizens educated to accept power, the party and the next ruler as the sole and unquestionable monopoly over every decision affecting society, today and in the future there is a vital need to broaden the democratic model and space, toward the values of competition between ideas, programs and political visions. In this politics of transition, where competing ideas are replaced by individuals – chieftains, personal rulers within parties and the state, Eastern models of abusive exercise of power, officials and politicians who saw the state, the citizen, property and the vote as tools to be misused in pursuit of personal goals – what society and political life have lacked and still lack are democratic parameters, European values, Western models, civic behavior and visionary politics. In the first decade of the transition, elections and politics were based on... continues on page 8

FULL DEBATES IN PARLIAMENT Alibeaj: Here are the abuses with property The former Minister of Justice against the PD. PS: Not under the government’s dependency TIRANA FERNADA CENKO Democratic Party MP Enkelejd Alibeaj has asked that the draft prepared by the Ministry of Justice concerning the return and compensation of property be reviewed once again. For the umpteenth time, Alibeaj has taken a position different from the government when it comes to property laws. Yesterday, in... Page 6-7

Message before the visit to Tirana, Rama, letter to the chairmen EU COMMISSIONER Fyle: A president is needed for everyone Message before the visit to Tirana, Rama, letter to the chairmen Page 5

BOYCOTT Page 19 Employment Fair, Tirana municipality with an empty stand

MUSLIMS The imams feud with Muça: Blackmail with “terrorists” Page 18 REQUEST IN COURT January 21, charge: 20 years in prison for Prendi and Lupon Page 10 CULTURE Luigi Za: Better intellectuals will come to you Page 11 INTERVIEW Genc Mulliqi: Independence one of Shima’s violations Page 21

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