STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE COURT OF CASSATION ZEF BROZI To run the courts in a democracy without independence means serving injustice. A judge must remain under the law, not under orders. That is why the independence of the judiciary is the foundation of the rule of law. Today I have the duty to speak openly about several developments that have seriously undermined the normal functioning of the courts. There have been direct interventions, pressure, and attempts to intimidate judges. In such conditions, it is impossible to demand impartial justice. A court that is afraid does not deliver justice. Judicial independence is not a privilege for judges, but a guarantee for citizens. If the state wants to use the courts as an administrative tool, then the law falls and arbitrariness rises in its place. This cannot be accepted in a country that claims to be moving toward Europe. I call on all institutions to respect the boundaries of power and not to exert pressure on the courts. Justice cannot be part of political bargaining. It must preserve its constitutional and professional dignity. (Continues on page 8)

Doris Pack, chair of the delegation for relations with Southeastern Europe of the European Parliament, received the PSSH delegation. According to a European statement [?] and the assessment of PSSH that Albania spoke with the PSSH delegation about relations with the PSSH delegation [?] PSSH meets the secretary for external relations at the Socialist International, Tuomioja Berit At this meeting the PSSH delegation expressed its anger and distrust regarding the recommendations and conclusions of the EP, considering them unjust and contrary to the reality of developments in Albania. According to the PSSH delegation, these recommendations are the product of one-sided information and a mistaken perception of the political situation in the country. The PSSH delegation meets Mr. Gjin [?], a senior representative of a European structure, who listened carefully to the Albanian side's arguments and stressed that democratic stability requires dialogue and institutional respect. PSSH meets the secretary for external relations at the Socialist International, Tuomioja Berit. The conversation addressed the political situation in Albania, the relations between the majority and the opposition, as well as the need to hold elections with acceptable standards. It was underlined that solutions to political crises must come from democratic mechanisms and not from excluding opposition forces from the decision-making process.

THE PARLIAMENT'S EXCLUSIVE FORUM - THE GENERAL INITIATIVE IN SUPPORT OF PS'S COMMITMENT [?] THE POLITICAL POWER SUFFERED NOVEMBER’S DOUBLE ATTACK THE PARLIAMENT'S EXCLUSIVE FORUM - THE GENERAL INITIATIVE IN SUPPORT OF PS'S COMMITMENT No country has functioned, from the right to the left, differently than through the assembly. And the voice of the people, the poetry and the inner citizenship of a country, cannot be replaced by party orders. God willing, the constitution did not forbid us, and we are moving toward the state. God forbid that tomorrow, in free elections, there should be winners and losers who do not know how to govern. That would be a tragedy if it happened. The state belongs to everyone and no one can appropriate it. The Socialist Party has already taken action to help resolve the country's crisis. It has come before parliament with its own project, with a general constitutional amendment, with the proposal for a technical government for the election period. The technical government was the instrument of mutual trust so that the elections would be free. The government itself was not the final solution; it was the instrument of temporary stability. This time Albanian politics showed itself to be immature. PSSH did what it was obliged to do by the constitution and by political responsibility. It did not seek power outside the law. It only asked that the game of elections be fair. For this it presented its amendment. In the absence of a will for dialogue, the country remained in the same state of tension. In these days it became clear that the democratic opposition cannot be the owner of the state. Nor can the parliamentary majority behave as if the truth were only on its side. PSSH called for constitutional compromise and for a temporary government with a clear electoral mandate. Continuing its stated positions, PSSH declares to public opinion that it will firmly defend the implementation of democratic rules. The country cannot enter elections under the shadow of mistrust. Albania needs a political agreement, not blind party confrontation.

- Speech by MP Moikom Zeqo - If the declaration of the Council of Europe makes us understand that Albania is in a delicate moment of its democratic development, that means that the responsibility of all of us increases. We cannot pretend that nothing is happening. Democracy is not decoration. It is order and standard. PSSH has never treated the political crisis as a means of short-term gain. On the contrary, it has proposed institutional solutions and has sought to preserve the normal functioning of the state. All of its efforts have focused on legality and on a minimal climate of trust between the parties. On the other hand, practices of shutting down debate and isolating the opposition impoverish parliamentary life. I believe the time has come to say clearly: a power that does not accept public scrutiny loses its moral legitimacy before the citizens. Governance needs transparency, not triumphalism. Albania cannot build serious institutions on rhetoric. We must move toward European standards with wisdom and civic courage. The democratic future of the country is not won with labels, but with political culture and real electoral guarantees. (Continues on page 2)

Përfilli Tela: The Albanian state has never been more corrupt than it is today Interpellation of the prime minister and the minister of Defense Albania has become an alarm case, said Socialist MP Përfilli Tela in today’s session. According to him, corruption has penetrated many layers of the administration and the army, weakening the state and presenting it to public opinion as incapable of defending the interests of citizens. In his interpellation he raised direct questions about tenders, the use of funds, and the political responsibility of the government. He said that anti-corruption rhetoric is not enough when control mechanisms are weak and when scandals are met with administrative silence. According to him, the ministry and the government must publicly account for every suspicious decision and every infringement of the state interest. Corruption is not merely a moral deviation; it is a system that erodes society's trust in institutions. (Continues on page 8)

MP Telo: The government is now splitting up the shares of ministry assets!? Accusations of misuse and clientelist distribution of public assets are no longer political rumors, but require an institutional response. MP Telo said that a dangerous practice is being followed, of distributing shares and benefits to groups close to power. If this continues, the state loses control over its own assets and creates an economy distorted by private interests. He called for full transparency regarding the procedures, the lists of beneficiaries, and the legal basis for these decisions. The government must immediately stop any action that raises suspicion of favoritism. The public interest is non-negotiable and cannot be sacrificed for the sake of the political clientele. (Continues on page 2)

Continuing the activities of the PSSH delegation in Brussels, its members held further meetings with European political representatives. At the center of the discussions was the political situation in Albania and the need to guarantee a credible electoral process. The Albanian side presented its arguments concerning the critical positions on the recommendations of certain European institutions, stressing that the opposition is acting within the constitutional framework and that its demands for a more impartial administration of the elections are legitimate. The interlocutors underlined that respect for pluralism and the proper functioning of institutions remain a condition for Albania's rapprochement with Europe.

Meeting of the PSSH delegation with Mr. Pablo Benavide Salas director general for relations with Southeastern Europe for Albania The PSSH delegation also held another meeting with European officials, where relations with Albania and the assessment of democratic processes in the country were discussed. It was noted that preserving political stability comes through dialogue and respect for the opposition as a legitimate part of parliamentary life. The representatives of the delegation expressed their dissatisfaction with the way some international reports have portrayed the Albanian situation. According to them, these reports have not sufficiently taken into account the country's political context and the concerns of the opposition. The interlocutor stressed the importance of institutional reforms and the strengthening of the rule of law, as a necessary condition for Albania's further rapprochement with Europe. (Continues on page 3)

MP Imami: The Albanian Ministry of Defense is under the influence of Serbian secret services?! The defense of the country is a serious issue and cannot be left in the shadow of numerous suspicions, declared MP Imami. He raised concern that certain structures within the ministry are taking decisions that seem inexplicable from the standpoint of the national interest. According to him, certain links and channels of influence require an institutional investigation. He asked parliament not to close its eyes to these suspicions, but to encourage transparency and oversight. Any compromise of national security would be unacceptable. The deputy stressed that the accusations are serious and must be clarified with documents, not with propaganda statements. Only a full investigation can calm public opinion and protect the integrity of the state. (Continues on page 2)

POLITICAL IDENTITY IS PUT TO THE TEST EVERY DAY