Former President of Albania, Alfred Moisiu, currently at the age of 95, has spoken openly about the ongoing crisis of Albanian politics, indicating that after more than a century of statehood, Albania has still not managed to build solid institutions.
Invited to the show "Off the Record" with Andrea Dangli on A2 CNN, Moisiu focused on the shortcomings that have prevented the country from moving forward.
"We loved and love democracy. Our people have always loved it, but how events have unfolded is another matter. Unfortunately, those who should not have been there have come to power. We have 113 years of statehood and we still cannot say that we have become a state."
But where did we go wrong?
"We have a sense of patriotism. This is what has hindered us. Patriotism gives you the floor and continues, but a person loses logic and reason. This is exactly what has hindered us. We have been in democracy for 35 years and we still don't understand it. We still don't know how to hold elections, we want them electronically, not the way we want them. Those who demand them, don't want them. How can this be explained? The devil knows. This is a permanent crisis. In the first elections that were held, I was Minister of Defense and I followed them very closely. At that time, telecommunications had gone down and the army's liaison was functioning and I did it. So we followed this work well. Elections were held at polling stations in the mountains and plains and were reported. Today, we don't understand it. Do these things happen or are they made up?
Do we have a real lack of alternatives?
"The disappointment is great. I have worked for the state for a long time, but instead of improving, in terms of the work of the state, we have weakened it. We do not believe in administration, when the government changes we do it from scratch, but this way we will never have to do administration, but it is sacred. There must be an agreement between the parties: Up to this point you have the right to change, do not touch anything below.
"When I was elected president, I called the general secretaries and told them that I don't touch anyone, whoever wants to leave, let them leave. Why did they need to be changed? They were doing their job. I'm glad that this tradition in the Presidency has been preserved, from the guard, to the driver."
"Then we come to what is happening to us now. The prime minister gets up and does a great job, he changes all the directors. There is a reason why he does not react in vain. After all, they are the ones who know him. When these problems occur, sometimes you have to take such exaggerated measures, in my opinion," Moisiu said on "Off the Record". (A2 Televizion)
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