TIRANA, July 12 – A Socialist Party MP representing the southern Albanian district of Pà«rmet has quit the ruling Socialist Party, citing disappointment with the party leadership. MP Vladimr Kosta wrote an open letter to Prime Minister Rama this week stressing his disappointment over Rama’s lack of appreciation for his contribution to the party and the fact that Rama did not reply to his emails and text messages. In his letter, Kosta claims to have paid 110,000 Euros to a local TV station in the district of Berat to please the Socialist Party chairman and hints that his clashes with Minister of Finances Arben Ahmetaj was the reason why Rama gave him a cold shoulder. “You based your entire work and party leadership in the hands of 10 ministers and trusted officials. As such you insult, humiliate and deceive all other MPs. I am leaving from this parliamentary group with the utmost respect for the other honorable Socialists,” Kosta’s letter read.
In conclusion, Kosta mentioned the name of Adrian à‡ela, the administrator of state-run OSHEE power distribution operator, saying that he should be invited to the Party’s 25th year anniversary celebration because “he is entitled to.” On Tuesday, à‡ela responded to Kosta saying that he “does not regret the fact of not responding to Kosta’s demands to be awarded tenders in an illegal manner.”
“Kosta’s attack as the country prepares to vote for the justice reform is a compliment to the company’s performance,” à‡ela said. Kosta and à‡ela traded barbs throughout the day as the Socialist Party marked its 25th anniversary. Kosta claimed that he does not oppose the justice reform and he would vote for it. “I will vote for the reform as recommended by the United States and the European Union. In regards to other media speculations, I will have my say after the reform is voted in Parliament,” he concluded.
This is the second time Vladimir Kosta has distanced himself from the Socialist Party. Last year, as the country was preparing to hold local elections, Kosta, a former businessman, resigned because he was not asked in regards to the selection of a Socialist mayoral candidate for the district of Pà«rmet. After few hours of talks with his fellow colleagues, Kosta withdrew his resignation only to quit the party one year later.
