TIRANA, Sept 10 /ATA/ Lindita Nikolla, the SP MP, was elected Parliament Speaker with 79 votes pro and 4 votes against.
137 MPs took part in the vote. The Democratic Party (DP) lawmakers demonstratively tore the ballot papers near the ballot box.
Lindita Nikolla was proposed by PM Edi Rama at the meeting of the SP National Assembly held on September 2.
“Lindita Nikolla, a woman with a long contribution and experience in our political family, is the epitome of dedication in performing her duties and a career politician,” Rama said.
Nikolla started her inaugural speech in parliament, saying: “It is an honor that cannot be put in words to be here today before the Albanian people and before you, elected to be the first among equals in the Albanian Parliament, the home of all Albanians.”
According to her, commitment to the Republic, the Constitution and the law has always been a task at the top of her mind. “Today this responsibility is elevated to a whole new level than I would have never thought.”
“This responsibility and commitment are today my allies as the Speaker of Parliament, to make a strong but secure commitment to lead our joint work in the spirit of debate instead of skirmishes, politics instead of rhetoric, cooperation instead of divide,” she continued.
She added that, “I am fortunate to walk on a path paved with seriousness, impartiality and political and institutional competence by my predecessor in office, Gramoz Ruçi, whom I want to like to thank from the bottom of my heart for the work and model he has developed in political life and at the helm of Parliament of Albania.”
“This parliament is the output of the free vote of Albanian citizens in the April 25 elections that produced a clear majority, and equally readable political formations, expressing the will of both women and men of the Republic of Albania,” she said.
“But the post-election figures and facts, not even my political affiliation, will not be the priority in the task I am preparing to take over. This is meager, but sure. To me, only the numbers will distinguish the majority from the minority. “In terms of space, opportunities and contribution to parliamentary life for the development of the country and the consolidation of democracy, everyone will feel equal,” she said.
“Together, we must develop the Assembly into a public asset, not a problem for the public. The Assembly must become the example of cooperation to the benefit of the citizens and the public good. Let us not simply look for left or right answers, but for right answers.”
“In this hall and in this country, the enemy is not us, the leftist or the rightist parties, the socialists or the democrats,” said Nikolla.
She stated amongst others that, “we are individuals with different, even opposite views, debating to make it possible for Albania to triumph over its real enemies: divide and hatred, pandemic and trauma, poverty and corruption. “We have to pass on to our citizens, our daughters and our sons, the model of what politics and society should be like.”
/sm/
