VZCZCXYZ4963
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHTI #0162/01 0611600
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 011600Z MAR 08
FM AMEMBASSY TIRANA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6769
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS TIRANA 000162 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR EUR/SCE, ZAGREB ALSO FOR BELGRADE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL AL
 
SUBJECT: POSTCARD FROM ALBANIA: NEW KIDS ON THE POLITICAL AND 
ECONOMIC BLOCK 
 
¶1.  (U)  This cable is part of an occasional series entitled 
"Postcards from Albania."  These messages are prepared by our 
locally employed staff to provide analysis, opinions and commentary 
on Albanian reality from an Albanian perspective.  This cable was 
contributed by a member of the Front Office staff. 
 
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SUMMARY 
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¶2.  (U) A new generation is moving up the ladder of power in 
Albania.  In a country where political and economic power has long 
been held by the heirs of the communist elite, a generational shift 
is taking place.  The political class that rose in the ashes of 
communism was necessarily comprised of participants in that system, 
as the harsh dictatorship had eliminated most of its opponents.  In 
the economic realm, the new generation is taking control of 
Albania's economic capital and financial future.  In recent years 
observable change has taken place in government institutions and the 
country's largest political parties.  The main opposition party is 
being transformed by the introduction of fresh faces at the top 
rungs, sidelining the older generation.  Meanwhile, the ruling 
Democratic Party has appointed several young cabinet and sub-cabinet 
ministers.  All signs indicate that the balance of power is 
shifting.  END SUMMARY 
 
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IN GOVERNMENT, YOUNGER IS BETTER 
-------------------------------- 
 
¶3.  (U) Prime Minister Berisha's government is dominated by cabinet 
ministers in their early thirties.  While younger does not 
necessarily mean wiser, the composition of government reflects a 
growing trend in the country, one that feels good to many Albanian 
citizens:  entrusting power to those not tainted by the communist 
past and who embody western ideas divergent from their elders. 
Several important positions are occupied by the new generation, 
including:  Foreign Minister Lulzim Basha, 34; Integration Minister 
Majlinda Bregu, 34; and Justice Minister Enkelejd Alibeaj, 35.  The 
newly-appointed Prosecutor General, Ina Rama, is also just 34. 
Several deputy minister positions are also held by officials of the 
under-35 category, including Deputy Foreign Minister Edith Harxhi 
and Deputy Minister of Interior Iva Zajmi.  Even the "older" 
generation of officials is young; President Bamir Topi is 51 and 
Speaker Topalli just turned 43. 
 
¶4. (U) These changes are significant in themselves, but also reflect 
wider societal shifts.  One of the most notable changes occurred in 
the ruling Democratic Party (DP) ahead of its 2005 Parliamentary 
win.  At that time, the DP was reportedly convinced that it could 
only take Parliament with new blood in the old structures, prompting 
then-Chairman Berisha to create the Committee on the Orientation of 
Policies (KOP), a group of young, western-educated professionals who 
were relative unknowns.  The Committee contributed to the successful 
change in the DP's image and played an important role in the party's 
return to power after eight years in opposition.  The subsequent 
rise to national prominence of many Committee members has sometimes 
created tensions with the more established wing of the party, but 
their appointments to the cabinet level provided a direct outlet for 
their growing influence.  However, it is Berisha himself who 
proposes and manages change in the party, and as long as he remains 
its undisputed leader, any reforms may be rescinded. 
 
------------------------------------------ 
OPPOSITION PARTY: ONE MEMBER, ONE CHAIRMAN 
------------------------------------------ 
 
¶5.  (U) In addition, the main opposition party is undergoing a 
similar but perhaps more profound transformation.  Under the 
leadership of Edi Rama, the communist-era old guard is retreating, 
making way for a new cadre of people who share Rama's populist 
vision of social change.  (Rama is a great admirer of Democratic 
presidential candidate Barack Obama.)  Successful professionals with 
no ties to the traditional Socialist Party (SP) structure have been 
propelled into leadership positions, changes which have been made 
possible by the new 'one member one vote' system that allowed Rama 
to dismantle the party's pyramidal structure.  While some contend 
that many of the newcomers have no real authority - they are simply 
Rama's puppets - their introduction to SP politics has the potential 
to transform the face of the left wing. 
 
¶6.  (U) As a result of Rama's changes, the SP General Assembly has 
been reformed, leaving outside a number of those who controlled the 
party since its inception.  Rama also created its first policy 
research body to shape the party's programs and policies.  These 
changes have underscored Rama's strategy of contrasting himself with 
the leaders of the post-communist period, notably former SP Chair 
Fatos Nano and PM Berisha, as well as Rama's promise of a new 
beginning for the party. 
 
 
---------------- 
FOLLOW THE MONEY 
---------------- 
 
¶7.  (U) These political changes have been preceded by important 
developments in the private sector.  Unable to keep up with demand 
in the new markets, an older generation of managers is being usurped 
by young, well-educated businessmen.  These entrepreneurs are savvy 
and flexible, adapting the most recent advertising techniques and 
financial mechanisms to their successful business ventures.  The 
result is that some of the fastest growing businesses in the country 
are run by people in their mid-30s, in new sectors of industry. 
Saimir Mane, a 36-year-old businessman, owns the most successful 
supermarket chain in Albania.  His success is emulated by several 
prominent entrepreneurs, including 41-year-old Sokol Kika, who have 
made a fortune from the booming real-estate industry.  These 
influential businessmen are beginning to make their mark on public 
policy, flexing their economic might in the political realm and 
becoming a force to be reckoned with traditional politicians. 
 
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COMMENT 
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¶8.  (U)  Albania is now entering into a new stage of development.  A 
new generation that was only marginally affected by the communist 
system now has the power and influence to affect public policy. 
Young politicians are tapping into a reservoir of popular discontent 
with the old leaders, whose paternalistic, hierarchical leadership 
style has not responded to the aspirations of Albania's young 
electorate. This new generation's successful introduction on the 
political stage shows both that citizens are tired of the failures 
of the traditional political class, and that the old guard itself 
appears resigned to letting the new guys in.  Until now, their rise 
has failed to put the brakes on Albania's conflictual and 
personality-based political realm.  With new leaders in both major 
parties and the rising economic influence of the next generation, 
changes may soon be visible there as well. 
 
WITHERS