Editorial EDITORIAL What was expected happened. What had the more seasoned politicians been warning about for days? The left were afraid of what happened. Prime Minister Sali Berisha, two months before the elections, took control of the Central Election Commission. Even with the help of the votes of former socialists, Parliament, without the opposition present, has dismissed member Ilirian Muho and appointed Klement Zguri as a new member of the CEC... A frightening decision for the future of the elections. Despite the justifications with dismissals, with decisions from years ago, the picture was clear: the majority and Berisha once again use the power of the vote card to do whatever they want. Neither the clear warnings from the American ambassador and the American embassy, nor the repeated statements from the European Union, turned Berisha and the majority from their path. The language used yesterday, even in the presence of the American ambassador in the Parliament chamber, was the language of a challenger throwing down the gauntlet to an opponent, and not of politicians striving for the country. What was witnessed was a shameful session in the eyes of... continues on page 19

INTERVIEW “How I prostituted myself to buy drugs” The painful story of the 43-year-old former heroin user

JONIDA LATE Drug users in our country are numerous. But very few of them agree to make their life with it public... Page 17

71 parties at the CEC for the June 23 elections Page 6

Residents clash with police, two injured Page 11

The housing market is falling, banks are easing loans Page 9

“Ownership certificate in the first mandate” Page 7

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