Statement by the Presidium of the Socialist Party The PD and the President in panic in the face of defeat The Presidium of the PSSH made public the PSSH’s position regarding the attacks from the last plenary session against: 1. the PSSH and the members of the presidium, 2. the deputies of the People’s Assembly of Albania, 3. the leaders of the PSSH in the districts and its organizations, 4. the party’s members and sympathizers. The troubling and condemnable part of everything connected with this [unreadable word] and the orientation of the extreme leadership of the [unreadable word] by the majority of yesterday. The PSSH expresses its concern over the political climate created by today’s left and the art of [unreadable word] propaganda. In public statements charged with nerves and [unreadable word], where slander and insults, mudslinging and accusations are encountered, [unreadable word] reveal the fear of a certain defeat. The attempt to strike the opposition with extra-political means and to frighten people who think differently is not a sign of strength, but of weakness. The verbal attack against the opposition, against its deputies and against socialist leaders in the districts, proves the crisis of confidence that has gripped power. The Presidium of the Socialist Party reiterates that its political commitments will be realized only through elections, which it will win with the free vote of the citizens. No provocation, no pressure and no coercion will lead the opposition away from the democratic and institutional path. The Socialist Party calls on its structures, members and sympathizers to remain calm, avoid provocations and strengthen contact with citizens, in order to explain the political program and the governing alternative. The PSSH condemns the use of hate speech and threats against the opposition. It asks the state institutions, the law-enforcement bodies and the election administration to guarantee the conduct of free and fair elections. Under these conditions, the PSSH considers that any attempt to distort the will of the citizens is doomed to failure from the outset. The Albanian people will know how to distinguish truth from propaganda and will vote for change. Tirana, 20.2.1996

Tirana, 20.2.1996