(ATSH photo)

Dear comrades, sisters and brothers, On the day when we heard the defeat until the elections, it was clear that this denigrating campaign would continue and that many kinds of slander and fabrications would be arrayed against them. I can say that even our organisers and very quickly began to understand that empty promises from the opposition do not fill the stomach and do not solve the many problems of the people. Yes, we know that there are still people who have been deceived and who can be deceived again. But the majority of our people has understood what today’s opposition is and what it is aiming for. Of course, it is not difficult to win people’s sympathy with propaganda and beautiful slogans and with insults and slander against the opponent. But it is much more difficult to help the people understand your policy and to see, through it, how their life will change for the better. In my view, our people clearly showed the opposition that one can no longer be fed with an empty spoon. Why did this happen? First, because our party boldly presented, without hiding anything and without evading problems, its political and economic platform for the country’s further democratic development. This platform, as you know, is based on the documents of the 10th Congress and the National Conference of the Party, on the laws approved during these months by the People’s Assembly, and on the program of the coalition government and national salvation. Second, despite the noisy campaign, full of fabrications and crude inventions, despite the opposition’s demonstrations and rallies to present itself as the only major political force in Albania, it became completely clear that it would not be able to win the majority of voters. Convinced of this, the opposition leadership narrowed its activity not only in Tirana, but also in other cities, where it thought its candidates could win. That is how it happened in some electoral districts of the capital as well, where it did indeed achieve success. But it so happened that, alongside the votes won there, it suffered heavy losses in the other districts. This shows that it is a minority, not a majority. The 20-25 percent of voters who did not go to the polls are against our majority, and therefore were not part of its electorate. Its entry into parliament, in any case, constitutes an important victory for our democracy. That is why we, the communists, want the opposition to act calmly, on the basis of constitutional rules and norms. We say this not because we need an opposition. On the contrary, it needs parliament, our strength and democracy, because they give it the opportunity to test itself by peaceful means. We, by contrast, have our own strength, the unity of the people and the confidence that we will move the country forward. Our power, despite all its shortcomings, is the power of the people. The voting of 31 March showed this. It cannot be replaced by adventure, by empty promises, nor by anarchy. Our people know this very well. Likewise, they know that the path of reforms is difficult, but necessary. Reforms are not made with words, but with work, patience and responsibility. We are determined to move forward. We will work to stabilise the economy, to secure bread, to increase production, to strengthen order, and to defend the interests of the state and the citizens. We will proceed on the path of democracy, political pluralism and the rule of law. But we will never allow freedom to be confused with disorder, pluralism to turn into hostility, or difficulties to be exploited against the country. Within this framework, we will continue the dialogue with all political and social forces that want what is best for the country. Albania needs calm, work and confidence. We will not stop in the face of difficulties. On the contrary, we will confront them with realism, responsibility and unity. (The speech continues on page 7) English translation: SPEECH OF COMRADE RAMIZ ALIA. Dear comrades, sisters and brothers... [abridged translation] Italian translation: IL DISCORSO DEL COMPAGNO RAMIZ ALIA. Cari compagni, sorelle e fratelli... [traduzione abbreviata]