Albania at the gates of true democracy PEOPLE ARE WAITING... Parliament. The President of the Republic forms the new government through a shaky majority, but it will record the positive downfall of many sins of a previous government and parliament. Will the new government, which yesterday presented the program and cabinet resulting from the 22 March elections, govern successfully and calmly? Or, put differently, after its approval in record time, will our country have the government it has been waiting for? The answer to these questions, not only for the various parliamentarians but first and foremost for the people, is of particular importance. Albanians are waiting for a real government, not a governing body that keeps the fever of crisis alive and continues to mock people’s hardships. Leaving behind the bitter experience of recent years, they are calling for clear action on order, the economy, the law, and human dignity. In this sense, people’s expectation is the expectation of real democracy, of institutions that function, and of a state that no longer behaves as if it owns the citizen. If this government knows how to listen, act, and be accountable, then it will win public trust; otherwise, disappointment will be swift and severe. The people expect politics to no longer be a noisy spectacle, but service. They expect those in power to see power not as a privilege, but as a burden. And above all, they expect promises not to remain mere words once again. (Continues on page 2)

Yesterday the new government’s program was presented to the deputies of the Assembly in such a clear, calm way and with a dose of optimism. Yesterday, before the Albanians, a cabinet appeared that seeks to give signs of work and stability after a long period of uncertainty. The new government has taken on the heavy burden of a country impoverished and worn out by the transition. This requires time, patience, and civic support. It is impossible for the wounds of years to heal in a matter of days; but it is essential to see the right direction. Therefore, instead of rushing into immediate condemnation or excessive praise, it is more reasonable to give the new government time to prove itself. Its program will be judged by work, by order, by bread, and by law. Success will not come from rhetoric, but from the ability to manage the crisis, maintain order, and restore hope. The citizen wants few words and many deeds. (Continues on page 2)

Censorship or indifference? We are not against public information media conveying all political positions accurately. But when critical voices are repeatedly avoided and only one side is favored, then the natural question arises: on whose side is Radio Tirana? This concern does not come from a desire for polemics, but from the need for equal information. A national radio must serve the public, not narrow, immediate interests. Selective silence, cutting opinions, and failing to fully reflect political developments — all of these damage citizens’ trust. If we are dealing with censorship, that is unacceptable. If we are dealing with professional indifference, that is equally harmful. In both cases, the public loses and the idea of free and reliable information is damaged. Radio Tirana must give an answer for the standard it follows. Democracy is not defended with silence or with bias. (Continues on page 4)

LET US NO LONGER HEAR: These are becoming tiresome and equally dangerous times, when every failure, every delay, every lack has an instant ready-made alibi: the ones in power are to blame. This formula, used without criteria, is serving as a refuge for incompetence, for lack of courage, and for shirking responsibility. It is true that power bears the main burden of governing. But it is not true that every obstacle comes only from it. There is also open sabotage, there is institutional laziness, there is also civic irresponsibility. Whoever hides these and repeats only one refrain is not helping to find a solution. Let us no longer listen to such poor excuses. Let us demand names, facts, explanations, and solutions. Without this, the country remains trapped in the vicious circle of general and futile accusation. (Continues on page 2)

They are a part of the nation that has paid with wounds, with losses, and with sacrifices for our history. War invalids cannot be remembered only on ceremonial occasions. Society and the state have the moral and legal duty to give them the place they deserve. Respect is not just words. It is measured by the pension, by health care, by housing, by treatment in the administration, and by public recognition. A country that forgets its war invalids also forgets part of its own memory. It is time for promises to turn into concrete policies and for every delay to come to an end. (Continues on page 4)

we converse with readers I am outraged, shaken, shocked by some phenomena that are appearing in our society. Harsh language, a lack of patience, a tendency to insult the opponent and to look with suspicion upon anyone who thinks differently — these are not signs of democratic civilization. Society is not built with shouting, but with arguments. It is not sustained by revenge, but by justice. It does not advance through division, but through dialogue. If we want a better future, we must learn to live with one another even when we do not agree. Civility is an everyday virtue. It begins with words, with respect, with waiting one’s turn, with the law, with personal responsibility. (Continues on page 2)

Trial before the future ... (the small print in this section is mostly illegible in the image; only scattered fragments can be made out, such as “Berisha”, “government”, “people”, “Albania”, “democracy”, “the future”[?]).

All this time has truly been marked by big words about young people. But words are not enough. Young people are waiting for better schools, jobs, housing, opportunities, and space for participation. If these are missing, promises remain political decoration. Albania needs the energy of its youth, and the youth need faith in the future. Making promises concrete is the first measure of seriousness in any government. (Continues on page 2)

SIMONA RONJA She was telling her story, she wanted to finish it herself, she followed her own steps, under a wet city, as if nothing had happened.