We must move forward with the constitution TO THE CO-CHAIR OF THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSION FOR DRAFTING THE CONSTITUTION SARA PUGO DODO

Sterile polemics are holding Albanian politics hostage “The impunity with which the Albanian prime minister and the leader of the PSSH Thanos and Takonët met with the PASOK delegation Kastriot Islami, going as far as the definition that “in socialism it is comfortable”, statements made by Berisha in the Economy Commission according to which the government is not choosing to take loans from the IMF and the World Bank, Vlorë and the challenges of the time, are gradually creating an unusual political reality. Instead of a truly effective opposition, which today is not merely a routine duty but also a mission, we see exactly the opposite. These days, they are going so far as to appear as “mercenaries” of a dry debate, with no alternative whatsoever. It seems as though Mr. Berisha and the intellectuals around him have remained stuck in the 1940s. We are referring to the recent statement by Mr. Çeka. At the very least, his as a philosopher, because the thinking of Mr. Berisha and the representatives of the right does not leave much certainty about such a thing either. It seems as if we have returned to the early 1940s. On one side we have those called “nationalists”, while on the other “communists”, who today are mainly from the ranks of the PSSH. These are also the views that emerged after the meeting of the PD presidency and several intellectuals close to it. Naturally, their main theme was the “courage” to move on to the stages of socialism and anti-communism, to be an anti-communist of a “democratic” kind that recalls the beginning of the Second World War. These days, two interviews with PD deputies have been made public, with rather extremist and anti-Albanian tones, where the view of Albanian politics is made according to the spirit of the Greek civil war. Thus, the chairman of the PDK, Nard Ndoka, called former Albanian prime minister Nano a “murderer” and “criminal”, while a recent interview in the newspaper “Koha Jonë” by Mr. Çeka is dangerous for the political climate in Albania. After calling Mr. Nano the “chief obstacle” to reforms, and “the biggest problem left to Albania”, Mr. Çeka ends with a phrase that recalls the fascist slogans of the Greek civil war, where the physical elimination of the opponent was called a normal political act. It is by no means a coincidence that Mr. Çeka closes his interview in the newspaper “Koha Jonë” with the slogan that “Albania will be freed from such a scoundrel.” Naturally, in a political climate with many tensions, such exaggerations not only express an inappropriate political and cultural level, but also create the impression that Albanian politics has become stuck in the slogans of the Greek civil war and primitive anti-communism. In such a climate, moving forward with the new constitution becomes even more necessary, because a country cannot remain hostage to sterile polemics and to an opposition that deals with demonizing the opponent.

The defense is up on Tuesday THE PROSECUTION’S DEMAND Page 4

Shkodran Qefaretët boycott the instigator of the Albanian tragedy BREDISHA IN SHKODËR Page 3

We need the recognition of the state THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PSSH MEETS WITH THE PASOK DELEGATION Page 4

“I do not intend to sell national interests to foreigners. The protection we are seeking is in favor of Albanian interests” “I do not intend to sell national interests to foreigners. The protection we are seeking is in favor of Albanian interests”