"The tongue has no bones, but it breaks bones"/ Peleshi, message to MPs: Let's not use it as a political weapon for hostility and division

2025-10-30 13:07:00, Politikë CNA

"The tongue has no bones, but it breaks bones"/ Peleshi, message to

The Speaker of the Parliament, Niko Peleshi, shared several messages today for MPs on the use of language in the institution.

In his speech during the plenary session, Peleshi said that political language should not be used as a 'weapon' against representatives of opposing forces, but rather a rhetoric with non-hostile and non-divisive tendencies should be modeled.

Peleshi called for discussions in the Assembly to continue as in a normal environment, where political debate takes place in normality and with complete freedom of speech and political action, as long as it does not infringe on the freedom of others.

"Words can illuminate or darken, unite or divide, heal or kill. The tongue has no bones, but it breaks bones," the people say.

When we weaponize political language, speaking of our colleagues as “enemies,” we contribute to a political culture in which violence, whether rhetorical or physical, becomes an option.

At worst, the culture we have allowed to develop turns political differences into an existential threat.

Citizens begin to see those who vote differently not as neighbors with different priorities, but as enemies who must be defeated by any means necessary.

When respected institutions like Parliament model divisive and hostile rhetoric, these trends accelerate.

And how can democracy survive when citizens see the other half of their fellow citizens as illegitimate participants in democratic life?

And yet, this is precisely the worldview we cultivate when we engage in divisive rhetoric and when we treat compromise and consensus as betrayal.

We cannot continue on the path we are on, contributing to the polarization and fragmentation of our society.

We must recognize our unique responsibility and opportunity to shape a better society.

Strong democracy requires strong debate. But power should not contain violence. Oppositionism should not exclude respect. Party loyalty should not be measured by the capacity for personal attacks.

We may disagree forcefully, while acknowledging our shared commitment to democratic values.

We can harshly criticize policies or bills while showing courtesy to those who propose them.

We can hold our beliefs strong while remaining open to being convinced by evidence and arguments.

No one lost politically from the last session:

The opposition took its due time, every MP, regardless of the party they represent, had the opportunity to speak on every item on the agenda.

Independent institutions had the opportunity to report and answer questions.

The deputies had the opportunity to make their comments on the responses.

So, a normal political and democratic space.

"I invite you to create together precisely this normal environment, where political debate takes place in normality and in complete freedom of speech and political action, as long as it does not infringe on the freedom of others," Peleshi said. /CNA