Albania's political landscape has faced a deepening crisis, as opposition forces have almost become nonexistent, overshadowed by a series of scandals and the overwhelming dominance of a government that has held power for more than 12 consecutive years. Historian Elena Kocaqi recently entered this political vacuum, launching the Albanian National Alliance, a party she envisions as a unifying force for all Albanians.
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| Screenshot of Elena Kocaqi while live on A2 CNN tv |
Kocaqi, speaking on A2 CNN’s Ditarin me Erion Dushin, highlighted the challenges of founding a new political party in the current environment, equating it to "walking into the sea on foot." According to her, this movement emerged out of necessity in response to 30 years of failed politics that have left the nation without hope. "The current political class has always placed the party above Albania," she stated. Kocaqi's vision is one of prioritizing the country over partisan interests, recognizing that Albania's well-being is far more enduring than the fleeting presence of political parties.
Reflecting on her struggles to contribute to Albania's political landscape, Kocaqi shared how the old political elite has made it impossible to enact meaningful change. "I’ve always felt Albania lacks something in this area," she said, refusing to take orders that prioritize party interests over national ones. For Kocaqi, it is painful to witness the people left without alternatives, suffering through 35 years of the same rhetoric filled with insults and slander. "For those of us who love Albania, it hurts to be in a situation where the people have no choice," she added.
Kocaqi's stark view of the political situation likens it to worse conditions than the dictatorship era or even the rule of Louis XIV in France. Her goal, as stated on A2 CNN, is to break apart the current political system, which she deems as oppressive. "Closing the electoral lists is anti-democratic. They have taken everything from the people, including the state," she claimed, emphasizing that the current governance has outstripped even Enver Hoxha’s dictatorship in severity. She called for a civic duty to offer a new alternative, underscoring the importance of public participation in dismantling this entrenched system.
To achieve this, Kocaqi advocates for mass voter turnout, believing that popular will can overwhelm the current political machinery. "Democracy must come from below," she asserted, calling for a referendum-driven political system. She criticizes the current leaders for taking power from the people and imposing an unfair constitution. For her, the key to breaking the political deadlock lies in open electoral lists and giving the people back their power.
The Albanian National Alliance, as described by Kocaqi, will focus on meritocracy, particularly in governance. One striking proposal is her plan for the Ministry of Finance: "The Minister of Finance must be the best financier in Albania. I would legally ensure that they are paid more than both the Prime Minister and the President because of the importance of the role." She criticized the current state system for hiring unqualified individuals, while the private sector attracts the best talent. "Governance is a technical and scientific process," she said, emphasizing the need for expertise over political loyalty.
Kocaqi also rejected the left-right political dichotomy, labeling it as a "criminal" division that has excluded large segments of the population. Instead, she insisted that her party would prioritize national and public interests above partisan ideology. "The government must be for all Albanians and defend the interests of all citizens. There is no left or right, only the interests of the people," Kocaqi concluded.
Finally, Kocaqi ruled out the creation of a "Bektashi state" in Albania, noting that both the constitution and the penal code would prevent such an outcome.
As Albania continues to face political stagnation and a lack of viable alternatives, Kocaqi's new political force seeks to address what she views as the fundamental failures of the current system. Her vision calls for a dramatic shift in governance, one that places merit and national interest above the entrenched partisanship that has dominated the country for decades.