Statement of the First Vice President of the European Parliament Gianni Pittella to be delivered on Sunday 31st of March
Concerned by the third consecutive loss of the Albania’s EU candidate status;
Convinced that only a new and progressive socialist government can get the country out of the deepening crisis;
Hoping for the country to hold free and fair elections on 23 June 2013;
Wishing that the representatives of the Albanian Left will recognize and acknowledge the historical importance of these elections not only for Albania but also for the region; On behalf of all the sincere friends of Albania and the Albanian Progressive Socialist I want to launch this appeal to my friends, Edi Rama and Ilir Meta. Now is the time, there is no time to lose neither for the Albanian people nor for the Albanian Left, be it for the SP or SMI, to unite and win. Both leaders of these political forces must now look forward and bridge the gap that keeps them apart for the betterment of the country. Political history teaches one that when the bitter experiences of the past turn to lessons for future, politics can achieve great transformations to the benefit of people. This is the moment when Edi Rama and Ilir Meta could pave the way to an incredible transformation of the political, economic and social life of Albania. The political cycle of the right wing governance in Albania is over.
Albania needs change. Urgent change. The PS and SMI should stand united in these elections in order to give the Albanians the opportunity to make this change possible with their free vote. My friend Edi Rama who has led an impressive modernization in the Socialist Party and drafted an extremely ambitious program that calls for an Albanian Renaissance, needs to publicly extend to the SMI, taking as such the responsibility of the kind of leader that we all want to see leading Albania. Every progressive socialist who eagerly awaits change and has fought for eight years in extremely difficult conditions should encourage and support Edi Rama in such a bold move.
My friend Ilir Meta who chose to be part of the ruling coalition for the past four years, in his effort to contribute towards the integration of Albania from inside the government, should not reject the outstretched hand of the SP. He should take the responsibility that the whole Albanian Left has to bring the country out of a crisis that will deepen if the elections of 23 June will not bring any political alternation. Every progressive socialist who support MSI as a force of change should encourage and support Ilir Meta in this direction.
As a sincere friend of Albania and both leaders I’m appealing to, I personally remain hopeful that the very limited time that remains for a big historic decision will be used appropriately to turn a new chapter for the Albanian Left and for Albania. The European Union needs Albania and Albania needs the European Union. Don’t miss this historical chance.
