The alternative we defend safeguards the interests of the broadest layers — The Steering Council of the Socialist Party met — The first secretary of the Tirana party committee, Ylli Bufi, who presented an extensive and documented report, said that at the end of the meeting, where there was much and valuable discussion, as well as differing views, the Steering Council of the PS, assessing with objectivity the current situation and the prospects for its development, reached the important conclusion that the explanation of the PS alternative, its programmes and promises, and the work with the masses and with people, which is being carried out throughout the country with good results, is influencing the change in the balance of forces and increasing support for the Socialist Party. The emphasis that the people have gained the necessary experience and are beginning to understand what is really happening to everyday life and to the country’s prospects has been accompanied by the conviction that the PS is moving confidently toward victory. According to the report presented to the Steering Council, if the PD starts the campaign with 50 percent of its declared electorate, during the twenty-two-day period the balance of forces can be overturned only thanks to the work of the socialists. No more naivety. There are strong opponents who will play their own game. The right-wing and centrist parties are serious opponents, but the main force against the socialists remains the PD, despite all its evolutions. According to one assessment, around 20 percent of the PS’s potential electorate has not yet declared its support. This electorate must be worked with persistently and clearly, with convincing arguments for each person. It is not true that the majority of the population supports privatization at any cost. This is a thesis of the right-wing forces that is being used to deceive the poor strata in the countryside and the cities. People want change, but not destruction. They want work, bread, security, and social justice. The idea that with such broad and general programs as privatization, the free market, the fight against inflation, etc., it would be possible to build a platform capable of winning the trust of large strata was mistaken. The experience of recent months is showing that the citizen’s first question is: what will happen to me, to my family, to my job, to my land or to my shop? Private enterprise must develop, especially in the services sector, but it must not be forgotten that the overwhelming majority of the population still lives from the state or cooperative sector. The people cannot live on slogans. They need a concrete rescue program. WE ARE NOT FOR TRIUMPH As soon as the political decision to participate in free and pluralist elections was made, the friends from the USA demanded three things: the legalization of private property, recognition of pluralism, and the removal of the leading role of the party. We made those changes. Today other things are being demanded again. This shows that our opponent is not satisfied with reforms, but aims at the overthrow of socialism and of every progressive value our country has brought over the decades. For the moment, many people may be deceived by slogans and grand promises. But everyday reality will lead people to judge more coolly and more fairly. We must not fall into either complacency or pessimism. We are for political pluralism, but not for the return of social injustice. We are for the market economy, but not for the destruction of the state and of domestic production. We are for freedom, but not for anarchy. These are our differences with the right. Today, more than ever, socialists must be close to the people, listen to their troubles, answer their questions and patiently explain to them why our alternative is the fairest and the most realistic. If this work is done properly, the Socialist Party will win.