By Armando Meta, Shekulli Newpaper

TIRANA - The democrat deputies consider the creation of the new parliamentary group as the finalization of the initiative of the "Movement for Reform", which sprang up as a reaction to the policy pursued by the party leader Sali Berisha. The new group leader Leonard Noka, and the reformist deputy Genc Pollo stated that this initiative would soon be followed by another political initiative. Considering their earlier statement, it seems to be related to their efforts to re-found the Democratic Party through an Emergency Congress. The said Congress is expected to be summoned in three weeks.

Noka stated that the new group would aim at establishing a constructive opposition in the Parliament, capable to debate on and to solve certain problems, which our country is coping with at present. Noka pointed out that their group would make a strong opposition rather than follow the policy of boycott. According to him, they would take advantage of the opportunities offered in the Parliament, so as to display the main objectives of their policy.

Noka pointed out that they would demand hearing sessions, debates on certain issues, and would even demand motions against certain ministers or even against the whole Government. They intend to awaken the sleepy Parliament and will be committed concerning issues such as the power crisis, the education issues, the local power de-centralization, the association agreement with EU etc. Noka remarked that they would co-operate with the other opposition groups without prejudicing any of them.

Pollo tried to explain the uncertainties which accompanied the creation of the new group. It was said to be much bigger, and would include other right-wing deputies, which was devaluated in the last minutes. Pollo stated that despite the foregoing, the kernel of the group would consist of the reformist deputies. He added that other deputies had expressed their views freely and the entry to co-operation remained open. He remarked that they were willing to co-operate with the Center Right group as well as the United Right deputies, including also those who have remained in the DP's parliamentary group. Pollo stated that certain democrat deputies would co-operate in certain initiatives in the Parliament and join their group officially at a later time.