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But what has changed from his old stance?
There was a period when what happens today in public debate or even panel discussions seemed like child's play. It was a time when nothing was left unsaid in Albania; precisely after Edi Rama's second term, namely the victory in the 2017 elections and the election of Ilir Meta as President of the Republic.
As soon as the September political season began, the "Tahiri" issue erupted and Lulzim Basha, then leader of the Democratic Party, asked the then Prosecutor General, Adriatik Llalla, to arrest the former Minister of Interior.
The Chief Prosecutor immediately decided to sign the arrest warrant and submit the request to the Assembly for permission. The majority did not accept it, but a tense situation began. This was because the mandate of the General Prosecutor was ending, for whom it was requested to remain in office until the new institutions were established. The majority and the internationals did not accept it and demanded that a temporary Chief Prosecutor be elected. The situation became tense and the famous boots scene occurred. But the situation did not end there; heavy artillery began against the US Ambassador Donald Lu who spoke about catching big fish. In the panels, scandals replaced each other. From "Llalla gate" to Babalja, from the marathon demonstrations of Unaza, to bombastic accusations of corruption in tenders. To come to the student protests later, which closed a very turbulent year. Entering the electoral year, when local elections were held for 61 municipalities. The DP sends to Germany, namely to the newspaper Bild, the wiretaps obtained by Llalla prosecutors, of the 2016 Dibra by-elections.
At this time, Edi Rama's government faced a very tough voice in the ruling majority in Germany, Angela Merkel's party, which was holding back Albania's advancement in the EU process. It was demanding strong and proactive steps in the fight against corruption.
He is Gunther Krichbaum, a member of the Bundestag representing an area of the wealthy western German state of Baden-Württemberg, whose capital is Stuttgart, the Mercedes.
Krichbaum, who represented the conservative right wing of the CDU, had very good relations with the Democratic Party and Lulzim Basha. To whom he gave very strong support, even making periodic statements, coming to Tirana or receiving opposition politicians in Berlin. At that time, he was the head of the European Commission, namely the one who had to give the visa for Albania to the EU.
This situation forced Edi Rama to undertake intensive lobbying in the Bundestag, going several times in person and assigning Taulant Balla a daily information and reporting mission. But the wall of the DP-friendly MP did not break, as he imposed strong conditions on the majority, thus granting a super-precious favor to the Democratic Party.
But what did the DP do: it put a dent in the mandates of the deputies, then boycotted the general local elections, and launched strong protests with Molotov cocktails in front of the prime minister's office, exacerbating the situation even more.
Concerned by this action, both the CDU and Krichbaum, as well as the US and the EU came with special missions asking the DP to change its position. But it was not to be! It was precisely at that time that the powerful allies of the DP in the European Popular Parties saw how the situation really stood. All that storm and all that Molotov season had the aim of blocking the establishment of SPAK and the new justice institutions. Which, with Meta in the presidency, had a very traumatic birth.
After a long silence, Gunther Krichbaum returned to the scene in 2021, when Sali Berisha began the battle to regain the leadership of the DP. He clearly stated that he was against it and accused Berisha of being part of the old politics and accused him of corruption.
This statement for Berisha was the last time that the important CDU MP dealt with his Albanian friends in the Democratic Party.
The year 2005 begins and the CDU returns to power after a 4-year opposition, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz, the leader of the right-wing current, with Krichbaum as his right-hand man.
In the new government, a Minister of State for Europe is elected. Which means, the voice and authority of the Chancellor in the structures of the European Union. Which falls to him, the first person to be asked about the new members, namely about Albania, which seeks membership in 2030.
Today, he has published a status on his official page on social networks, after having participated in a ceremony for the celebration of Albania. Which was held at the magnificent Deutsche Oper in Berlin. The Minister of State, who has published several photos, has also given a political assessment of the progress in the EU.
“This year, Albania’s accession to the EU was in focus more than ever, and I am happy that steps in this direction are getting closer and closer. Albania opened the last Group of 5 in November – a crucial historical moment for joining the EU. Now it is about maintaining the pace of reforms and further implementation. Because our goal is to welcome Albania to the EU. We can count on Albania as a partner and a stabilizing force in the Western Balkans in the common foreign and security policy. These are the messages and signals of support that Foreign Minister Wadephul, who on 17-18 November, as the first foreign minister to travel to all six Western Balkan countries – including on 17 November, in Tirana – personally conveyed,” writes Gunther Krichbaum.
But what has changed from his old stance? A lot has changed: now the fight against corruption is in the hands of the new judiciary. The majority is one of the most affected by this judiciary, but continues to stand in favor of SPAK's independence. Meanwhile, the only ones who have not changed are the old friends of the CDU deputy, who only side with SPAK when their opponents are investigated. And it will likely be very difficult to recover this relationship.
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