The political section of the daily newspaper Albanian Free Press, organizes this forum on the issue of the new President of the country. Is it yet time to go beyond the taboos that have existed so far on a woman president and what would be the impact of such step in the Albanian political life?
Is a woman today more favored for the post of the President?
We hear insights from prominent names of Albanian journalism and press such as Prof. Valter Memisha, Prof. Pirro MIso, Prof. Alfred Frasheri, Llaqi Nako, ballet maestro and poet, Erion Kristo, professor, Luftar Paja, Artist of the People, Margarita Xhepa, Honor of the Nation, Alida Hisku, writer, Klodeta Dibra, professor, Marjeta Zaçe (Pronjari), Ermira Pirdeni, etc. They offer not only their insight on the possibility of a woman president, but also names that may be potential candidates for this post, which has always been occupied by a man in Albania.
By Albert Z. Zholi
Last week, Albanian parliaments held two rounds of voting for the election of the new President of Republic. The first two rounds were wasted, by not submitting any candidates to be voted by majority MPs, at a time when the opposition has boycotted Parliament since 18 February.
The tension of these elections and the heat generated as a result of the judiciary reform process which is still pending, seems to have belittled its importance, but it has also made the election of the President without encountering any problems, a very hard process.
Meanwhile, the media and political circles have envisaged the possibility of electing the first woman president of the country. Some say that due to the situation that Albania is going through, but also due to the big political tension between the two largest parties, the election of a woman president would be the fairest, most reasonable and the most delicate way to appease this political atmosphere that exists in Albania.
DEBATE
Why a woman president?
Public presentation is a strong weapon for women. They know what suits them and how they should behave in public. They have yielded results in this aspect, they are more moderate in debates and know how to prevent conflict.
Another interesting quality that women possess is gratitude, a quality that we, Albanians, are in so much need of feeling and experiencing. Despite these qualities, it is currently very difficult for a woman to be politically active in Albania. Although there are several positive models by all political parties, the majority of women face a tough political atmosphere in Parliament and public debates. The fact that Parliament and politics in Albania are often dominated by men, makes the political vocabulary very rough and violent and such model is often unsuitable for women. The strong and inappropriate language that is used, is often seen by women in Parliament as one of their biggest problems.
But today, it’s time for Albania to have a woman President. The endorsement of Amsterdam Treaty in 1997 marked a powerful turn in regards to the promotion of equal rights between women and men, as basic obligation of the EU.
In fact, the idea of gender equality has a history as old as the one of the European Union, which started with the Treaty of Rome in 1957. Then, the incorporation of the gender aspect in the European Union legislation followed a long path and gradually successful, by introducing directives, rule books, recommendations and decisions with the aim of creating a European community without gender differences.
This is one side of the medal. The other relates to the mentality of Albanian politics, of the people and amid this strong political vocabulary which is being used, a woman is seen unfit. But, in fact, only a woman can appease this aggravated climate of Albanian politics. A woman president is perhaps the best way to calm the aggravated atmosphere of Albanian politics.
- Do you think a woman president would be better for the country?
- What would be the suitable candidates for the post of the head of the state?
Such choice would show a high level of civilization.
Valter Memisha
Albania needs a woman president more than ever. Such choice would show a high level of civilization, emancipation, culture and it would show a European-Western profile of our society and a level of maturity and faith to hand the reigns of the state to a woman.
*Head of the department of Language-Literature, University of Tirana
The Illyrians too had Teuta, let the people decide
By Prof. Alfred Frasheri
In principle, women too can lead states, they can be presidents and queens. This is proved by the history of humanity, several thousand years old. Illyrians too had Teuta. The president must be elected by the people. When the president is elected by the parties, as it happens in our country, the state becomes a party-state. The same thing happens in dictatorships, when the President, Prime Minister and ministers were elected by the leader of the party.
The women president will also belong to a political side
Prof. Pirro Miso
The president, who may be elected by these ridiculous and degenerated leaders, will belong to a political side and will only cause problems for the Albanian political arena.
When men fight, women move aside
Luftar Paja
In my opinion, there must be a woman president in this difficult political situation that the country is going through. Look at parliament. Women MPs are more mature and more accurate when they talk. When men fight, they move aside and are wiser when they talk.
*Artist of the People
Politics would be much more moderate
Margarita Xhepa
The only time that I can follow parliamentary debates is when women talk there. They never insult. They are careful and sincere. If all MPs were like the women MPs, politics would be much moderated.
*Honor of the Nation
Civil society must insist on it
Alida Hisku
Of course a woman is needed. Look at the German chancellor, Merkel. Since that lady came into power in Germany, the country became more developed, politics more balanced and standards of living improved. Albanian women are as intelligent, as competent and as visionary. Albanian civil society must insist on this.
*Great Master
Woman president is more likely to stand above the sides
Llaqi Nako
Currently, a woman president could be more balanced than a man. At the same time, she would be more balanced and inclusive. In this point of view, a woman president is more likely to stand above the sides.
*Ballet maestro-poet
A male president? Let us not repeat the same mistakes
Erion Kristo
If we elect a male president again, we would be more likely to repeat our mistakes. Only a woman, with her refinement and her purity, could bring the big change that we want. A woman will offer more hope. She will make peace and peace is what we are looking for.
*Professor, journalist at TV SCAN
The president must represent the qualities of an experienced professional
Klodeta Dibra
I would like the next woman president to represent the qualities of a citizen that first of all, protects the interests of her fellow countrymen, of an experienced professional, the best Albanian European qualities, and the harmony that Albanians reflect in the Balkans.
*Professor
Can a woman president have the right strength?
Marjeta Zaçe (Pronjari)
Why can’t we have a woman who will leave positive traces in those constitutional duties that the president in Albania performs! But will this woman president have the strength to make a positive impact in the political decisions that political forces must take together for the finalization of European integration and fight against corruption?
*Great Master of Sport
Women offer spiritual virtues
Ermira Pirdeni
To keep political parties engaged and their leaders in public, a key role may only be played by social movements such as Albanian Society for All Ages (ASAG). In this context, the election of the President of Republic must be made by civil society. They offer the legitimacy, spiritual virtue and value to political action.
*President of ASAG
A man or woman president who will love Albania
Harallamb Kota
In this situation of “masculine rows”, generating all sorts of primitive insults, far from the western civilization, in order to reduce tensions and balance the political class, we must elect a woman president with a strong character, honest and patriotic, who will know how to respect all political sides based on the Constitution of Albania.
*Researcher
