Former Socialist Party minister Ermelinda Meksi has joined Ilir Zela’s call for an in-depth analysis of how the Socialist Party functions, stressing that the party’s democratization must be a real political and statutory process, not just a slogan.
In her public reaction, Meksi says that one of the most important tests for any political force is its ability to reflect and correct itself. According to her, a party that does not accept criticism, does not analyze itself, and does not update its internal mechanisms risks becoming disconnected both from its membership and from society.
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She says that if the goal is a Socialist Party that is more open, more representative, and more ready to respond to the challenges of the times, then there must be a return to the principles that, in her view, once guaranteed internal legitimacy, balance, and representation, through elections and the renewal of the Socialist Party’s structures every four years.
Meksi proposes that the National Assembly should emerge from the will of the Congress delegates and not from ex officio memberships, because, according to her, these dilute the weight of the democratic vote. She stresses that MPs and mayors carry important public responsibilities, but cannot replace the will of the membership and the party’s representative forums. According to her, this becomes even more problematic when a large share of MPs come from closed lists, which further weakens their direct connection with the grassroots.
In her full reaction, she says: “I join your reflection, Ilir Zela, which raises an essential issue: the democratization of the Socialist Party cannot remain merely a slogan, but must be turned into a real political and statutory process.”
Further on, Meksi underlines: “The main message of this proposal is linked to the goal of avoiding the risk that threatens a political organization like the Socialist Party, that of losing the ability to self-correct. A party that does not reflect on itself, that does not open itself to criticism, and that does not renew its internal mechanisms risks losing its connection with the membership and with society.”
She also argues that the method of electing the party leader should be reviewed. According to Meksi, recent years have shown that the “one member, one vote” model, in conditions where real competition is absent and there is inequality in political instruments, has not necessarily brought more internal democracy. On the contrary, according to her, this mechanism has often served to further strengthen the leader’s power over the party.
For this reason, she believes that the leader should derive legitimacy from the Congress, every four years, through open debate, fair competition, and a contest of alternatives.
In conclusion, Meksi stresses that the Socialist Party needs more collegiality, more debate, more meritocracy, and more space for differing opinions. Only in this way, according to her, can the party regain the energy, trust, and role it has historically had in the country’s political life.
She adds that socialists who are both young and experienced, such as Ilir Zela, as well as the new generation that brings fresh energy and ideas, have the opportunity to start and lead this process of renewal. According to her, the times require courage for change and the wisdom to preserve the best values on which the Socialist Party was built.
