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An electorate, the only one at the entrance of Shkodra, is the first indication that there are local elections in this city.
But this poster of Sali Berisha’s candidate is also the most significant sign why Sunday’s mayoral race in the northern capital is the most important in the March 6 local by-elections.
Politics is considered the art of the possible. Although Shkodra is perceived as an impossible mission to be won by the left, the Socialists believe that with the emergence of the DP with two candidates they have a golden chance and will succeed, to govern this city at the local level, for for the first time in 32 years.
Lulzim Basha, in order to keep the blue castle of Shkodra standing, has placed Xhemal Bushati on the battlefield, a well-known and respected figure.
While the Berisha-Kryemadhi coalition of the “House of Freedom” competes with Bardh Spahi, a former close collaborator of Lulzim Basha.
From 1990 until today, the rightists fanatically maintain the record of local government in the capital of northern Albania.
Shkodra remains the only municipality never governed by the Socialists.
If we talk about the local elections, the only achievement of the Socialists in this city, are the elections of 2015 from where the socialist Keti Bazhdari was able to get over 28,000 votes but not enough to declare her winner against Voltana Ademi.
Taking advantage of the boycott of the Democratic Party in the local elections of June 30, 2019, the Socialist Party, enjoyed its first victory at the local level in Shkodra.
But this joy was taken away from the Socialist Party by Valdrin Pjetri, who had not declared a sentence in Italy, and as a result did not receive the mandate of mayor.
But Shkodra is a city of surprises.
In 1996, at the height of the PD’s reign, the people of Shkodra gave the local vote to a right-wing coalition.
Therefore, and what they say today for 6 get, is the strongest evidence that when it comes to the well-being of the city, the people of Shkodra, as well as the people of Lushnja or Durrës, are more interested in Shkodra than politics.
“I would like Shkodra to have those that many other cities have. I have seen a very large development from the south, why not the north as well“, Says a citizen.
“Everything should be changed aret sidewalks, the sidewalk should not be car parking. Here the municipal police and the state police are inactive“, Says a citizen.
“Shkodra is left with many things, with ruins in the middle of the city that is a shame. See how the Great Coffee is left, which is a symbol of Shkodra“, Says a lady.
“To expect the people that so far no one has waited for the people, for the troubles they have. There is a lot to do for Shkodra, cleanliness, garbage…“, Says another from Shkodra.
The Socialists are competing with former prefect Majlinda Angoni, a civil society activist, well-known entrepreneur who has hired left and right.
“All the meetings I have had, both with individuals and with interest groups, show the great desire to change the clock to Shkodra. The time has come for change, in the vision, philosophy and management of Shkodra. Shkodra has had a political stagnation for 33 years, not to mention regress. It is indeed 300 days, but it will be 300 days to show the difference versus 32 years“, Says Majlinda Angoni.
Xhemal Bushati is Lulzim Basha’s confidant to continue the blue government in this city. A member of a historical family from Shkodra, he says that he has an emergency plan for many issues that require quick solutions, highlighting the same: the abandonment of local government, but also the consequences of the misgovernment of Voltana Ademi, which today is lined with Sali Berisha.
“I do not need much to introduce myself because most people know me. I have experience, I have been a member of the Municipal Council of Shkodra for 12 years. My experience, good knowledge of the local government makes me think to give my experience, my love for Shkodra, to my citizens of Shkodra“, Says Xhemal Bushati.
Sali Berisha’s candidate, meanwhile, says he has used the election campaign more to listen to citizens and jointly propose appropriate solutions.
“The main thing is to change the economic and social reality of the city. Undoubtedly, there are other aspects in improving the infrastructure of our municipality, interventions in improving the reality, especially in terms of Shkodra youth. We have a big social wound with alarming numbers of departures. We will focus on improving their access to school studies and assisting them along their journey to employment.“, Says Bardh Spahija.
But of course the focus of the candidates, especially those of Basha and Berisha, is how to beat each other, more than the left opponent, or win the hearts of Shkodra.
And it seems that the most important battle for them is second place, rather than the first.
The importance that these elections in Shkodra take for Albanian politics, shows the choice made by Edi Rama, Lulzim Basha and Sali Berisha to close the electoral campaign from this city where everyone wants to win.
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