STATEMENT “The CEC members elected by consensus are not political” The US warns: Do not touch the CEC In a statement, the American embassy calls on Albanian politics to implement the Electoral Code and the political agreements Pages 2–3 IN THE PHOTO: US Ambassador Aleksandër Arvizu. CEC meeting

NEW COALITION Page 6 Rama-Meta: The alliance will be long-term, based on a charter of principles

INTERVIEW Pages 4–5 Bashkim Zeneli: PS-LSI, a winning coalition, the future requires courage

BOARD Page 7 Government ridiculous decision, 680 euros for bridge construction

Election portrait BY EDMOND ARIZAJ Ridvani, the one who opposes Berisha Can anyone imagine opposing Sali Berisha in the Democratic Party? Even more so in government? Even more so publicly? “That can’t be done, Doctor.” It is a phrase heard a few times, in a low voice, timidly, but firmly. Great courage. Eyes meeting eyes have only clashed for a moment with the Doctor’s eyes; do not go any further. And wonder of wonders! Sali Berisha has stepped back. Publicly. Or he has maneuvered. It is the hardest sector even for someone all-powerful like him. Finance. The state treasury. The one that holds the banner of his campaigns, with the raising of salaries. And, in this time of crisis, Doctor Berisha cannot make his dreams come true without the blessing of Ridvan Bode. Nevertheless, Ridvani has managed among the people. So much so that he can even be called a knight when he tightens the tripe..., the same thing is happening in Italy, Greece, Portugal. But he has not let the country fall into the abyss of recession. Truly little, but still there is economic growth. Faced with general skepticism, cancerous unemployment, the daily hardship of ‘give us our bread, O Lord,’ stands Ridvani. Hidden behind the matrices... continues on page 19

INCIDENT Police violate regulations, hangs himself in the police station Ndue Kolthi ends his life with a trouser belt in the waiting room TIRANA GRANIT SOKOLAJ A 50-year-old man hanged himself in the premises of Police Station No. 3 in Tirana. The incident occurred in the early hours... Page 9 Ndue Kolthi, the police officer who hanged himself

IN KASHAR Page 5 Prime Minister Berisha: We’ll shove eels down Rama’s throat

“FUNDJAVA” Pages 13–17 Saimir Pirgu, success with Placido Domingo in the US

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Pages 20–21

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