By Harry Bajraktari/
The upcoming local elections of May 14th, in Albania, are among the most important in the recent memory.
After eight years, Albanians will finally have a chance to choose among a plurality of candidates for mayors and municipality councils.
This is an important return to democracy and Albanians should not miss the chance to vote for their favorite candidates and parties. This is a chance for the people to have their voices matter. I call on all Albanians to exercise their sacred right and vote.
This is also a good chance to end the domination of the political and public life in Albania by the Socialist Party. They have had plenty of time to implement their vision and the achievements are simply not there.
The Socialists have been running the country practically a one-party system. They ruled nearly all the municipalities and now are using state resources for the electoral campaign.
There can be no successful economy, no true justice, no guaranteed future under an autocratic regime. You cannot expect to join the family of the Western democracies as a one-party system.
Pluralism and rotation of power is essential for a democracy and the Socialists have overstayed their welcome in power. Too much political and state power has been accumulated on the hands of one man alone. Now, the country needs a strong signal of change.
The best way to achieve this is to vote for the largest opposition group: Together We Win coalition, led by former Prime Minister Dr. Sali Berisha and former President Ilir Meta. Other opposition parties have good candidates as well however, I am afraid that a vote for those parties is a wasted vote and only helps the Socialists win again.
More importantly, the candidates of the Together We Win coalition were all elected through American-style primaries unlike those of other parties who are appointees of party bosses. This is democracy in action.
On May 14th, vote for the candidate elected by the people, not those of the political bosses. Vote for the future of your children and grandchildren! Vote for the future of Albania. Bring back democracy and serve by example for the entire Albanian nation.
On May 14th, vote for change! Give democracy a chance!
Harry Bajraktari is founder and publisher of Illyria newspaper (1991-1998), an Albanian-American community leader, philanthropist, and recipient of many awards, including the Honor of the Nation Order by the President of Albania, Kosova’s Presidential Medal for Merits, and the White House Presidential Call to Service Award.