 |
| Portrait of Arta Dade |
The former Socialist minister and MP says she will not attend the ruling party's 35th-anniversary event, arguing that genuine socialists stand with the youth-led protest demanding dignity, equality, and social justice.
Former Foreign Minister and former Member of Parliament Arta Dade has publicly declined an invitation from Prime Minister Edi Rama to attend the Socialist Party’s 35th anniversary celebration, choosing instead to align herself with the ongoing youth-led protests taking place in Tirana.
In a strongly worded statement published by Gazeta Dita, Dade said she would not participate in what she described as an “anti-rally” organized from above, arguing that the real spirit of socialism today is being expressed outside formal party structures rather than within official ceremonies.
According to her, “true socialists” are not present at politically orchestrated events, but rather stand with citizens who are currently protesting in the capital for dignity, equality, and broader social rights. She emphasized that the youth movement represents legitimate social demands rather than political destabilization.
Dade also used her statement to deliver a broader critique of the current state of the Socialist Party. She argued that the party has undergone a deep transformation compared to its historical identity, suggesting it has drifted away from its founding values. In her view, this shift is reflected in increasing corruption, clientelism, and a concentration of power that she believes has weakened internal democratic culture.
She further stated that the party’s historical role in Albania’s transition period and key political moments has been overshadowed by what she described as institutional and moral decline. While acknowledging the Socialist Party’s past contributions to state-building and reform processes, she argued that its current trajectory represents a departure from its original ideological foundations.
In her remarks, Dade also criticized figures within the party who, in her view, have chosen to support what she called an “anti-rally” atmosphere around the anniversary event. She suggested that such participation reflects personal interest rather than political conviction, and expressed disappointment toward former colleagues who have remained aligned with the current leadership.
At the center of her message was a call for what she described as a “rebirth of the Albanian left.” She argued that Albania needs a renewed political force grounded in moral integrity, social justice, and closer connection with citizens, rather than what she characterized as an elite-driven and detached political structure.
Dade also made a direct link between the current youth protests and broader ideological demands, stating that the movement should not be interpreted as anti-left, but rather as a push to restore genuine left-wing values such as equality and opportunity. In her view, the protests reflect a social correction rather than a political threat.
She concluded her statement by calling for a return to what she described as authentic socialist principles, suggesting that the current moment represents a turning point for political renewal. “The time for return has come,” she said, emphasizing the need for a political culture based on accountability, ethics, and proximity to citizens.
The decision by a senior historical figure of the Socialist Party to openly distance herself from a key party event adds a symbolic layer to ongoing political tensions, particularly at a time when youth protests continue to draw public attention in the capital.