Why Albanian democracy has been and is so difficult

Alfred Moses

The Albanian people, as lovers of democracy, in the most climactic moments of its history, have sought it, and have tried to establish it. When the independence of Albania was announced, the intellectuals of the time tried to build a democratic state of the time, but unfortunately they failed. All that was achieved ended in a royal regime, which, despite its recognized achievements, could not ensure the construction of a democratic power belonging to the people. Similarly, after the National Liberation War, when the people went to war not only for the liberation of the country, but also with the aim of building a Democratic Albania after it, just as it was promised, with a constitution as democratic as possible and a power of the people. Again, unfortunately for the Albanians, after that war, although there was a good start and quite progressive achievements for the time, the country turned into a dictatorship, which has been among the wildest in Europe. And what is more surprising is what has happened these 26 years, that we are living in a truncated democracy. The question rightly arises: What has happened in these years of this protracted transition?

With nostalgia, I remember those beginnings of the 90s, when we all shouted: "Freedom, Democracy, We Love Albania as Europe" and other slogans of the time, which were very tempting for us. All of us were not only interested, but also very convinced that the desired democracy would happen immediately or very soon. Unfortunately it didn't happen that way.

I am trying to present below what happened and why?!

First- No one thought in those beginnings that the road started would be as long as it is actually happening. It didn't occur to any of us that the first thing that had to change was the mentality. And most importantly, the mentality of those who took it upon themselves to lead us towards new changes. We forgot that the politicians who took on this important action were the product of a dictatorial society, accustomed and stuck to the ways of the past. Therefore, changing this mentality definitely required its own time. So the reminders of the past were not so easy to disappear and change, as we wanted. It happened that instead of a truly democratic society, a transitory society was born, plagued with many evils, inherited but also new, from the worst of the world today. This is exactly what has not allowed us and does not allow us to move forward, as well as we should. A statement by Erich From is relevant even today, who states that "The stupidity of the man in power leads the country to destruction".

The second - The electoral process, initially it was good. The 1992 elections were free of problems that could have marred them, but strangely they later became distorted. Then, very quickly those who were in charge got used to some previously unknown phenomena, as they continue to be to this day, such as: the manipulation of lists, the occasional voting of organized militants, the extreme politicization of commissions electoral fraud, buying and selling of votes, use of undeclared and illegal funds, illegal use of parts of the state apparatus in the interest of the party in power and others, which from year to year came to be added until we came to the conclusion that in our country it became difficult to achieve free and fair elections.

Third- The wrong, we can say criminal, concept of engaging in politics to get rich and not for the good intention of changing the way of thinking and acting was created. This resulted in seeking and finding illegal ways to preserve and increase wealth. At the same time, they found ways to avoid legal responsibilities in all possible ways, while using all paths to appear that everything is in full compliance with the constitution and laws in force. As a result, the desire to stay in power forever or as long as possible grew. Thus, as a result, the demand for finding different ways to divert the popular vote increased.

Fourth- Eager to fulfill everything they wanted, they definitely had to adjust the selection and corruption of the justice bodies, so that they were paralyzed and did not fulfill their duty of striking political deformations, legal and constitutional violations, and financial abuses and corrupt actions.

Fifth - It was aimed by all means to reduce the influence of the separation of powers as much as possible, trying to put at the head of independent institutions people who are not only political, but also pious to serve their party convincingly.

Sixth - The media, which was supposed to serve as a guardian and promoter of democracy and mercilessly hit various violations, turned into a protector of the next power and passed almost completely into the hands of political business, thus creating a unique front of impenetrable.

Seventh - The corrupt and criminalized elements of the country, helped by politics for reasons of obtaining and maintaining power, managed to enter the ranks of the Assembly of Albania.

Eighth - Economic development leaves much to be desired, which is the main reason for the backward development and poverty of our people. The majority of Albanians, being poor, attach the main importance to survival, hence the problems of real democracy. Such a situation made it very easy to buy and sell votes in an amount extremely harmful to the results.

Ninth - The internationals, who should have helped to pass this road faster and with less damage and deformations, in my opinion, have failed. They attached more importance to the support of the political force that corresponded to their color, than to their way of running and the results of the development of democracy. Now maybe they have understood this, not everyone, but it is not easy to uproot the fruits that were planted.

Tenth - We are the only country in the region where some of the main politicians have been the same since 1990.

However, despite the findings, our duty is to change this situation. The way to be followed, to have a real democratic state and a direct democracy, theoretically everyone knows well, but the narrow interests of the parties and the ruling clans have caused that until now it has been distorted with full conscience by the politicians main. Therefore, it is our duty, the entire civil society, all honest Albanians, to overturn this anti-democratic and anti-national practice. But it is difficult for the politicians to do this, as they have cynicalized their path so far.

Currently, I think we need to change the way we select our legislators and key political leaders as soon as possible.

I think that currently, the most necessary and important thing is to apply and put into practice as soon as possible and without distortions the Law Reform. To follow with great attention and demand forcefully, if necessary with mass manifestations of the civil society, the implementation of the vetting for the persons specified in the law and the point-by-point implementation of the constitutional and legal requirements of the Reform in Justice. Let's not forget that those who are disinterested or against this reform will continue to find various pretexts to postpone and distort the reform.

I am of the opinion that the vetting criterion in the future should be applied without hesitation and definitely to the main politicians and their families, punishing them for what they have abused with power and the economy, as well as to all those who are or will to be elected to important positions of state management.

To finally give up the efforts of politics to distort the electoral process, finally achieving not only free elections, but also really fair ones.

I would also add:

- The role of Civil Society should be greatly strengthened. It must improve its work in a radical way, not focusing only on securing projects, but focusing on the maximum achievement of its objectives, always being flexible in relation to changing situations. While politics and especially the power bodies change their attitude towards it, treating it as an important partner in the direction of the country;

- To demand more accountability to the elected persons, as well as to the government, by organizing forced accountability to the voters. To give up meeting with the people only when there is an election campaign. This should become a legally sanctioned norm;

- We demand that our vote necessarily goes where the electorate gives it;

- We should be more attentive to the youth, it is the future of the nation. Indeed, the parties have created their own Youth Forums, but they are more interested in preparing militants than properly formed people to move the country forward. The examples show that in most cases young people educated in good western schools, entering party politics quickly turn into bad copies of their bosses. So, we have so far a not very good experience from these engagements. The importance of this matter is brought here by a statement of the great Greek philosopher Aristotle: "The legislator must direct his attention above all to the education of the young; because the neglect of education leads to the violation of the constitution. The citizen must be molded to suit the form of government under which he lives. Each government has a special character originally formed and which continues to preserve it. The character of democracy creates democracy, and the character of oligarchy creates oligarchy". These commands were given about four centuries before Christ, think how they should be treated today.

- Political parties should pay attention to the change of the main leaders, as this is very important. To put an end to the statutory changes of the parties, when their leaders, after enjoying the primacy, begin to change the statutes, which they themselves made as a matter of principle, when they needed to be. But the change must be real, not formal. Winston Churchill said that "To improve is to change, to be perfect is to change more often".

A dangerous tendency that is emerging among our youth must be fought; to get into politics to ensure a job and the opportunity to get rich as soon as possible. Dealing with politics in the first place is a sacrifice, it requires dedication and piety, it requires you to put the general interest above the personal one. Dealing with politics is the same as for those who voluntarily go to war for the fate of the homeland. Whoever wants to get rich should go into business.

By all means ensure the real separation of powers, otherwise it is difficult to think that we are building a real democracy. This is the most important foundation of democracy. Undoubtedly, honest and dedicated people should be elected to the leading positions of independent bodies to ensure Albania's progress. Let's definitely say no to the communist principle "Party above all". But "Albania above all", this should be the future leitmotif of Albanian politics.

Well, dear friends, a lot can be said about these problems, because not only do we have our very bitter experience, but life has also taught us a lot. How we can get out of this situation is known, we must walk steadfastly on our way, mercilessly breaking any resistance of the stalwarts of our politics, with great faith in the will and energy of the Albanians. I have the opinion that we will succeed in defeating the forces of evil to build a clean and democratic Albania. First, we Albanians will do this ourselves, necessarily with the support of our friends. With great desire, I want to finally mention a quote by Abraham Lincoln: "I am determined to be so clear that no honest man can misunderstand me, and no dishonest man can misrepresent me."