Erion Veliaj has leveled serious accusations against Edi Rama, while some socialist representatives offer the shortest response politics has: “No comment.” Some avoid the microphone, others say they will express their position within the socialist family. But matters affecting the exercise of state power cannot remain family conversations.
Veliaj may or may not be right. His claims require evidence and verification. Minister Toni Gogu has denied the threatening messages that Veliaj claims were conveyed to him in prison. That is precisely why full clarifications are needed, so that the public can judge based on facts.
Where are the socialist deputies who should demand these clarifications?
Where are those who, from the Assembly rostrum, speak with confidence about every mistake of the opposition, yet on this clash suddenly become people without an opinion?
No one is asking them to declare Veliaj innocent. Nor are they asked to condemn Rama with statements. They are asked for something much simpler: to demand transparency, to speak.
Çuçi and Xhafaj have requested information about Veliaj’s transfer, while Ermelinda Meksi has asked for explanations regarding the minister’s prison visit. So not every voice is missing. But these positions make the silence of the rest of the leadership structures even more visible.
Why should asking for an explanation seem like an act of courage within a party in power?
If a deputy waits to understand what the party leader wants before formulating his own opinion, then his mandate has been weakened. He may have the voting card in his pocket, but he has left his political independence at the leader’s door.
Erion Veliaj was one of the most exposed figures of socialist power. For years he appeared as part of the shared success. Now that his relationship with Rama has turned into a public clash, colleagues cannot behave as if they never knew him.
Solidarity does not mean protection from justice. It means not giving up principles when applying them becomes uncomfortable.
Even support for Rama would carry more value if it were accompanied by arguments and a demand for clarification. The PS cannot ask for trust in the country’s democracy while treating dissenting opinion inside itself as a threat to one’s career.
The party has a history, members and responsibilities beyond the fate of one leader. Its duty is to hold responsible institutions accountable even when the questions concern the party leader. Today, socialists do not have to choose between Rama and Veliaj in order to seek the truth.
They only need to speak.
Because a parliamentary group that does not dare to ask questions about its own power will tomorrow find it difficult to convince citizens that it can protect them from it.