- Statement by the pluralist commission for the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the homeland - With the declaration of the national committee of the veterans of the LANÇ, the Republican Party, the Social Democratic Party, the Socialist Party of Albania, the Organization of Balli Kombëtar, the Albanian National League, and the Association of Victims of Communist Terror, public opinion has been made clear that the group of members of the anniversary commission examined in a realistic and responsible way the initiative of the President of the Republic to turn the anniversary of the victory over Nazi-fascism in Albania into a festival of understanding and national reconciliation. The sole aim of those who do not want to understand this initiative and want to distort it is clear: to create a general atmosphere of mistrust toward it. Mano, the lack of civic ethics and unfounded accusations do not do a good service to the reconciling spirit of this initiative. Our anti-fascist national liberation war, led by the PKSH, was an integral part of the great world war on the side of the Anglo-American-Soviet anti-fascist coalition and, domestically, a powerful liberation movement of the Albanian people for the country’s independence. In the struggle for liberation, broad segments of the population and various Albanian political forces lined up. The anti-fascist national liberation war, led consistently and heroically by the PKSH, was crowned with complete success by winning the liberation of the country with its own forces, laying the foundations of a new political and social order, through which our country took its place among the victorious peoples in the Second World War. The Socialist Party’s victory for the constitution is not a “YES” or “NO” for the referendum, but an approval of the parliamentary constitution and in the people (Continues on page 6)

Yes to the referendum, only after the discussion and approval of the constitution article by article in parliament

The draft constitution should be approved by 2/3, then the popular referendum A referendum is a legal-political concept. As a legal act, it is an expression of the direct exercise of popular sovereignty. As a political act, it takes different forms. The question arises: what relationship will the referendum have with the representative body? In general, the system of parliamentary democracy implies a limitation of the role of referendums. Naturally, this does not at all rule out the existence of the referendum; on the contrary, it should not be ignored because it is a necessary instrument of constitutional legal importance. No interference with democratic legislation can take place without a referendum. The referendum is a necessary instrument, but not in such a way as to replace parliament. Dr. xh. ÇUKO

“A wise people respects the agreements of its collective conscience” I am in favor of the referendum, provided that the people understand the constitution with their own political wisdom. The laws of the state are built on certain principles and clear positions. A constitution must be read, understood, and made part of every citizen’s conscience. If it remains unexplained, then the referendum loses its meaning. A wise people respects the agreements of its collective conscience.

I am in favor of the referendum provided that parliamentarianism is not undermined I would not call for this referendum unless our parliament thoroughly examines the new draft constitution. Every representative democracy moves on the basis of parliamentarianism. The constitution gives parliament the place it deserves in the political order. The referendum cannot replace parliamentary debate.

People do not know what they should vote for The orchestra master stunned (Continues on page 7) The constitution is a text that must be known. If people are not clear about its content, then their vote risks being merely formal. I believe that before any referendum there must be broad explanatory work so that citizens clearly understand what they are giving their approval or opposition to.

No amendment to democratic legislation can be approved up to now The constitution under discussion cannot be the result of hasty decision-making. If we want a rule-of-law state, we must proceed with caution. Parliament has the right and the duty to examine its text article by article. Without this process, the referendum would lack a clear democratic basis.

The draft constitution, corrected and supplemented by public discussion, makes parliament’s work easier for the people Parliament should carefully address the draft constitution and enrich it with the observations that emerge from public discussion. This makes its content clearer for citizens as well. Only a well-worked, clarified, and understandable text can go to referendum with dignity.

The government will be in the name of the people. It speculates with them by approving a constitution to prolong its own power L A Ç