FROM CIVIL SOCIETY TO POLITICS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TIRANA 000351 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/SCE E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/04/2019 TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM PREL AL SUBJECT: FROM CIVIL SOCIETY TO POLITICS REF: TIRANA 319 Classified By: AMBASSADOR JOHN L. WITHERS, FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) AND (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: As reported reftel, several prominent civil society actors are running for MP for the opposition Socialist Party (SP). In separate conversations with two of these activists, both bemoaned the partisan atmosphere, but also seemed to be enjoying their new roles immensely. Both candidates served in civil society for many years, but seem to have made the transition to MP candidate easily, leading some observers to maintain that their move into politics has "proven" that all civil society actors are merely pawns of the SP and not independent. Other critics have labeled the most prominent civil society-to- parliament candidate little more than window dressing to impress the international community. For his part, SP Leader Edi Rama says the former civil society candidates represent Rama's highly touted brand of "new politics." Both candidates who spoke with Poloff are virtually assured seats in the upcoming elections because of their positions on the lists. Regardless of the criticism, it is nice to see some new faces and ideas in a political system where many actors just never seem to quite leave the stage. End summary. ¶2. (C) On June 2, Poloff met with Eglantina Gjermanji, former head of the Gender Development Alliance (GDA) NGO and a current candidate for MP for the Socialist Party (SP) to discuss her transition to politics. Gjermanji, a mother of two, said that SP Party leader and Mayor of Tirana Edi Rama called her in early May to ask her to run for MP with the SP. Initially she declined, but later accepted. Once the lists were published, she found herself in the 8th position in Tirana, virtually assuring her a seat in parliament. (Note: Of the 32 seats up for grabs in Tirana, the SP is assured of getting at least 14, and perhaps more. End note.) Gjermanji seemed excited about the prospect of becoming an MP but also revealed some insecurities about her candidacy. She said she believes that having civil society activists entering politics is a turning point in Albania, and she sincerely believes that now is the time for change. ¶3. (C) For Vasilika Hysi, the former head of the Albanian Helsinki Commission (AHC),the transition to politics seemed a bit smoother. As she launched into SP talking points in a June 4 meeting with Poloff, she sounded a lot like SP strategist Kastriot Islami. She went on to say that these elections are the second to be organized by PM Sali Berisha and current Deputy Minister of Interior Ferdinand Poni(the first were in 1996) and these elections will likely be as bad as those in 1996. While she too had some reservations about joining politics, she has entered the fray with all of her usual gusto. She campaigns non-stop and has already been featured on television debates and had interviews published in the local dailies. She indicated that issues do not matter much to the populace; she has only been hearing that the SP needs to ensure the right to vote for everyone. ¶4. (C) Interestingly, Hysi told Poloff that she is more pessimistic about the political system now that she is looking at it from the inside. She said that, being on the outside looking in, she did not really understand completely how it functioned. Now she does, and she is not pleased with what she has found. She bemoaned the partisan atmosphere and said no one in the DP is capable of a real debate. According to Hysi, the entire DP strategy is to distract voters from the issues. Named as the number one candidate on the SP list for Tirana, Hysi is assured a seat in the new parliament. (NOTE: Some critics have pointed at Hysi's SP candidacy as little more than a publicity stunt aimed at the international community, with whom Hysi is well-known and respected. These critics doubt that Hysi will gain many votes for the SP, but will build goodwill towards the opposition among the internationals. END NOTE). ¶5. (C) Comment: It is too early to tell whether or not the entry of several prominent civil society actors into politics is a good trend. Some worry about civil society being weakened by the loss of some of its most prominent figures. SP leader Edi Rama, however, brushes aside such criticism and claims it represents his brand of "new politics." Whether or not their idealism and enthusiasm can continue or if they will be beaten down by the poisonous, partisan politics is a big question. Both women claim they will not change their attitudes or their outspokenness as MPs, but incumbency and party rules often trump other considerations. Some (mainly in the DP) have also said that the fact that Gjermanji and Hysi have joined the SP confirms that they really were hacks for the SP all along and not "independent observers" as they claimed to be when they criticized the GOA. Regardless, the fresh faces and ideas are welcome in a system which has a lot of people who just never seem to quite go away. TIRANA 00000351 002 OF 002 WITHERS