One city, one responsibility: Politics at the service of citizenship

2025-07-19 16:19:00, Opinione Ardi Stefa

In a political climate often overloaded with clashes and divisions, it is inspiring to see signals of cooperation that place civic interest ahead of any political affiliation.

The Mayor of Vlora, Mr. Ermal Dredha, has made a direct and essential call: for collective awareness on cleanliness, traffic rules, illegal parking and the occupation of public spaces, plagues of urban everyday life that violate the dignified lifestyle of every citizen.

His call was not simply an administrative appeal, but an open invitation for cooperation, engagement and civic contribution, beyond any political conviction. He emphasized that “Vlora belongs to everyone! It belongs to every citizen who loves it and lives in it; every visitor who comes and enjoys its beauty, hospitality, sea and mountains!”

Below, the mayor, Mr. Dredha, emphasized that: "Today, more than ever, Vlora needs a civic and intellectual commitment that goes beyond political divisions, personal jealousies or petty grudges.", inviting all citizens and political forces "to contribute with concrete proposals in public hearings and become part of solving the problems!"

He concludes his civic appeal with the message: " Love Vlora as your home, because Vlora is our common home."

A clear message that aims to turn citizens from passivity to active participation, and politics from sterile criticism to concrete action.

The reactions of various citizens to the mayor's call have been numerous and positive.

But the most significant thing in this development is the positive and constructive reaction of Gjergji Nika, one of the leaders of the opposition in the city, the leader of the Euro-Atlantic Democrats, at the same time a municipal councilor and a powerful voice in this council.

Through a post, he clarified that the opposition is not an enemy of local institutions and their leaders, but a political opponent that remains, however, an inseparable part of civic representation.

"We are political opponents who strongly believe in an active and useful role in serving the city. We are not "against with anger", but we are "against with reasoning and argumentation". We are not afraid of cooperation, we are afraid of silence and evasion. And when silence and evasion become the rule, irresponsibility takes power," he emphasized.

A stance that shows political prudence and a strong sensitivity to the real needs of the city.

Further, Gjergji Nika called on citizens for a new awareness in relation to the city. While he asked the socialist majority to show sincere will and true openness to cooperation, by not using urban challenges for political gain or propaganda. This is a legitimate request, which reflects the spirit of a functional democracy and a healthy political coexistence. It is this spirit that helps in building a fairer, more functional and more inclusive city, where accountability, dialogue and joint contribution do not remain just words.

This development should be welcomed and applauded. It marks a significant step towards building a new political culture at the local level, a culture of cooperation, where politics serves the city and not the other way around. Major challenges such as chaotic traffic, pollution, illegal construction and the lack of public spaces are not solved with accusations and polarization, but with joint plans and mutual will to give the city a new development.

This new spirit of dialogue is the example that has often been missing in Albanian politics, especially at the local level. And it is precisely at this level, where politics affects the concrete daily life of the citizen: the air he breathes, the road he crosses, the space he walks in, the trash he uses or the tranquility he seeks.

It is vital that cooperation is stronger than political competition and that public interest prevails over party interest.

At the end of the day, the city has no political color. It has only one interest: the improved livelihood of its citizens. And this is only achieved when everyone, as majority and minority, as administration and opposition, civil society, media, and above all, citizens work side by side for the same goal.

Now is the time for all actors and factors in the city to prove that the word cooperation is not a cliché, but a value. Because when politics moves away from conflicts and gets closer to the citizen, we all win.