Ruka: Edi Rama’s biggest mistake
One of the most prominent names of the Socialist Party, Prof. Dr. Et’hem Ruka, former minister of Education and former minister of Local Government, who has served several times as an MP of the Socialist Party, offers an insight on the recent political developments in the country in this interview for Albanian Free Press. Mr. Ruka stops on the agreement of May 18 between Rama and Basha and says that political parties may have lost, but the biggest winner here is Albania. Addressing criticism against Mr. Rama, Ruka says that the public opinion is being ignored, but adds that “those who lead are ‘doomed’ to take important decisions even if their personal career is at risk”.
Mr. Ruka points out that “Rama’s biggest mistake is that he wants to run fast, but feels bad when the others cannot catch up with him”. Meanwhile, he adds that Rama “is the most civilized Prime Minister that we have had these years and he created a model which is copied every day, even by the opposition”.
Meanwhile, as far as a possible post electoral alliance between SP and DP, Mr. Ruka is careful when he says that “it is still early to ask such questions”. According to him, the agreement must be tested in two main points, “in the progress of the reform in justice and in the holding of free, fair and uncontested elections”.
“Once these challenges are tackled in a successful way, time will impose the best solution”, Mr. Ruka says.
Interviewed by Albert Z. Zholi
How would you consider the agreement reached between Rama and Basha? Did it come at the right moment and where the demands of the DP met?
Without a doubt, I consider the agreement as very important, in spite of the high sensitivity that this has created within the political spectrum and in all other domains of social life. It was an unexpected and unimagined agreement, but it was carefully and patiently drafted by the international community, which is more visionary for our future than we are.
What part of this agreement does the Tent occupy in the agreement and to what extent the DP and SP militants are satisfied with it?
I believe that political parties may have lost things from themselves, but Albania is the biggest winner. I have seen much criticism addressed against Mr. Rama. Public opinion cannot be ignored, but those who lead are “doomed” to take important decision, even if their personal career is at risk. I personally support Edi Rama in this initiative, although Albania has so many saboteurs, that they will try to mine this agreement. I am convinced that they will not make it for as long as United Europe and USA are at the foundation of this agreement.
Was the tent the main factor which led to this agreement and why did Rama make so many concessions?
The right of opposition to demonstrate and protest is a constitutional right. There’s no room for discussion here. The marathon of this protest had its good things and bad things. The protest was peaceful, in spite of the strong language and often with messages of violence. Without the agreement, we would not know what would be the fate of this party and its leaders. Rama helped Basha to survive.
The DP fought for the cause of free elections, although in many cases it has massacred them; it fought against the criminalization of the administration and everyone wants this. It fought against the cultivation of cannabis, but it promoted “professional schools” for the cultivation of cannabis in Lazarat and Dugagjin. In my opinion, the tent may have sent out shockwaves, but it could not change the opinion that Albanians have on the way the DP has governed during the Albanian transition. Fortunately, the tent enabled Basha to remove that part of the party which has been targeted by criticism, but, unfortunately, it stigmatized as an “enemy” group its historical memory, Eduard Selami, one of the leaders of DP in difficult times. Jozefina Topalli, an emblematic and unrepeatable figure for the Democratic Party. Astrit Patozi, chairman of the parliamentary group for a long time and prominent journalist of the right wing. And to conclude, Majlinda Bregu, one of the most open minded and Europeanists amid all. I never heard Basha distance himself from the collective insults addressed against them and this saddens me.
As far as Rama is concerned, it’s wrong to think that he’s an inexperienced politician who is intimidated and makes concessions. Like all of us, Rama too is a human being who makes mistakes. His biggest mistake is that he wants to run quickly and feels bad when the others do not have the strength to follow him. In my opinion, he’s the most civilized Prime Minister that we’ve had these years, who created models which are copied every day, even by the opposition. Prime Minister Rama enjoys support among voters, but also people who are not happy with him, but for whom I am convinced that they will vote him and his party. In contrast to Basha, Rama has strong international support and this is not obtained through small conjectures, but with great visions. People have their own intuition and know how to make the difference.
Why did Basha withdraw from the idea of caretaker government?
It’s very simple. Basha and his party was in grave danger and would have seen international isolation without this agreement.
SMI remained out of the talks for the agreement. Has its support fallen among voters?
SMI is a left wing political force, which has been constantly growing and has played an important role in the political developments of the country. This force has created its own identity and has often proved to be pragmatic with its objectives. But will it continue to play its balancing role in the future? This needs to be seen. The leadership of this party is very dynamic and motivated and in the work that it does with its structures.
Did Berisha play a role in this agreement?
Of course. Berisha remains the DP’s spiritual leader. Nobody can believe that there can be decisions within the DP without first consulting the Doctor. In contrast to Rama, who is free to act, Basha can only operate under Berisha’s shadow. The recent nominations taken place as part of the agreement are the best proof that Berisha is playing even the smallest dices in the party.
Do you believe in a post electoral alliance between SP and DP?
It’s still early to ask such questions. The agreement must be tested in two main points; the progress of the judicial reform and the holding of free, fair and uncontestable elections. Once these challenges are successfully addressed, time will impose the best solution. Albania’s destiny is sacred. The destiny of political parties is important, but not necessary! Experience has shown that parties are born and die, but civilized nations move forward!
