Is that a political fight? Hardly soŠ

TIRANA, Dec 1 – Governing Democrats’ Prime Minister Sali Berisha and opposition Socialist Party leader Edi Rama have hurled harsh insults at each other in the last week or so accusing each other of Mafia links or clans, homosexuality, domestic violence, insanity, terrorism and fascism.
The 28 June parliamentary election is considered by the government as the best ever in post-communist Albania while from the opposition Socialists see it as a lost opportunity in the country’s integration efforts.
Their political fight has really turned increasingly sour, with both leaders and their close associates referring now with hate speech.
Speaking in parliament last week Berisha lashed out at Rama, in what he said was a response to months of accusations against his family. Rama was the Mafia man in power in the capital Tirana, where he is the mayor. Rama was to blame for the violation of his divorced wife, for many shameful acts he had committed with other women and his mother too. There could hardly be harsher words against a person than those, or as Albanians call it, “ƣalling names of the family list.” Berisha accused the Socialist leader of domestic violence, homosexuality, forcing his former wife to frequent nude beaches and insanity.
Rama did not respond with the same tone merely calling Berisha insane. Rama accused Berisha of loosing his mind at a critical moment for the country’s democracy.
The insults follow months of accusations, during which Rama has accused Berisha of electoral fraud and corruption in the 28 June parliamentary election.
The Socialists, who won 65 seats in the 140-seat parliament, claim their party did not lose the election, they allege it was stolen by the government.
The opposition has held a series of rallies across the country since Oct. 10 seeking a partial recount. Tens of thousands of Socialist Party supporters rallied in Tirana on Nov. 20 and another major rally is planned Dec. 5.
The 64 elected Socialist deputies have boycotted the parliament, halting the passage of legislation that requires more than a simple majority.
The boycott has poisoned the political climate in Albania and both European and American diplomats have called for a political solution in order not to hamper the country’s reform process, vital for its EU integration.
Berisha has rejected any possibility of a recount, arguing he cannot circumvent the courts that have ruled against it.
Following the last meeting the opposition set a 10-day ultimatum to the governing Democrats to open the ballot boxes or protests would continue nationwide.
It was after that when Berisha reacted ‘violently’ with words against Rama.
The Democrats are also to hold a rally Dec. 8 to celebrate the fall of communism due to students’ protest 19 years ago.
The Socialist and the Democrats, the two main political powerhouses in Albania since the end of the Stalinist regime of former dictator Enver Hoxha in 1990, have a long history of political animosity, usually following disputed electoral processes.
Albania has yet to hold elections which fully respect internationally recognized standards.
The politicization by both parties of the ballot counting process, which was delayed for days, the use by the government of public employees and resources during the campaign and political pressure on the media by both camps remain a serious concern to be addressed.
But ordinary Albanians would prefer more efforts on their daily life and economy. Poverty is still widespread in this tiny Balkan country.
They would also be more pleased if they were included together with the other three Balkan countries – Serbia, Montenegro and FYROM – to enjoy the visa-free regime with the European Union starting in two weeks and not be joined with Bosnia and Kosovo, two countries that were created after 1990 and through wars.
Now they are listening to derogatory words from their top leaders.
Who is to resolve such a crisis? Again the international community?
Well, now Albania is a NATO member country and it is looking forward to become an EU member in the future. That means that the country’s institutions, leaders should be able, capable enough and democratic to resolve such a crisis by themselves.
In fact it is a political crisis, a parliamentary one, linked to the reforms needed along the integration process.
But the two leaders have turned it into a personal one, calling each other names.
That is the last thing ordinary Albanians need.
But it is again the common Albanians who are to gather at the Tirana squares to support what their ‘dear’ leaders say or call names against each other.
What does that mean? Our democracy is not ready to proceed further in Europe. Our leaders needs more time to get mature. The country should work more not only to update its administration, economy, institutions in line with EU standards, but especially and more likely to find some other leaders.
They are not what a country going to the EU bloc needs. But, moreover, they are not the ones who common Albanians really want to have. It’s up to them to decide.