Round table of political parties The participating parties at the round table agreed, emphasizing that the opposition parties should take a common stance against the government's counteraction against reform. The unity among the parties must be strengthened, and a complete break with those opposition parties that do not want the democratization of Albania or support in constructive dialogue the unrepresented or suspect opposition must be made public. Namik Dokle: “The Socialist Party, both in the meetings with the PD and in the meeting with the President, has set out 8 conditions, without the fulfillment of which it will not take part in the local government elections” Continues on page 4

: Democratic Alliance, Balli Kombëtar, Christian Democratic Party, Legality Party, Social Democratic Party, Socialist Party, Republican Party, National Unity Party, etc. According to the discussions, the need to guarantee equal conditions in the electoral process and to avoid administrative pressures was emphasized. Continues on page 4

Editorial Reform in the service of political action The process of renewal within the Socialist Party, from the rejuvenation of the structures to the political program, although in a more moderate form and unburdened by the conflicts inherited from the Congress (no. sa), sent a clear message to the socialists that the reform program of the Party gave a prominent place to the principle of balance against a wholly left-wing direction. Looking at this objective in detail, there was nothing wrong with it for the Party. On the contrary, it should rather have been seen as a sign of strength in reaching out to its electorate. By its very nature as a Socialist Party, this was not a matter of formulas for internal change, just as reservations without foundation toward such political logic would have been out of place. Stripped of fanaticism and compared with the deformed Albanian parliamentarism that leads only to blind obedience, this choice of retrenchment showed nothing beyond a fluid correctness with the aim of changing the balance of power in favor of the left. It was a foreseeable and justified decision. The SP, certainly capable of changing the most sensitive points of its organization and profiles and of establishing a balance between the fresher political figures and the traditional leaders, did not in any case undertake the mission of transforming itself entirely into another party model. That would have been not only unnecessary, but harmful to its very opposition role. Today, as the effect of these moves is being assessed, it is very important that reform does not turn into a formal symbol, but retains its link with political and electoral action. (To be continued on page 3)

PS-PD dialogue: experts meet Prof. Ethem Ruka: Let dialogue provide solutions to problems in Albanian society Page 2

In the conference hall of the American legation in Vienna, Albanian solutions in the Monitoring Congress are discussed In a figurative half-address of international actors with a special interest in the Albanian political process, representatives of the socialist, social democratic and republican parties talked about the election crisis and the need for a stronger international presence. Particular interest was also given to the Council of Europe's recommendations on local standards. Deputy of the SP

Europe calls for monitoring local elections in Albania A team from the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe is coming to Albania this week to prepare the observation of the local elections Page 3