Besa

Today, a "great political unification" is being presented to the citizens of Tuzi. If it were real, if it were honest, the citizens would say: Aferim, we will be a strong supporter.

There is talk of history, unity, national interest, the strength of one political entity that will supposedly be the voice of the majority. However, while political leaders celebrate their unification, disillusionment is growing among ordinary people.

Not because someone united. But because many are wondering: where have those people we trusted disappeared to?

We are addressing them - the people who will be the factors of this new joint party. Those who entered politics with the votes of the people of Tuzan, who received support because they represented principle, character and word.

We ask them: where does that justice go? Where does that principledness go? Where does everything you once stood for disappear?

While you walked the path of truth, justice and patriotism, you were in deep political disagreement with those who are your closest allies today. Today you sit at the same table, without explanation, without questioning, without answers to the citizens.

The problem is not in political dialogue. The problem is when we forget everything that was said yesterday for the sake of the functions that are being distributed today.

And what hurts the most is such servility towards those who for years were a symbol of everything you supposedly fought against. It is unpleasant to watch how the former lions of the political scene fall under the yoke of yesterday's upstarts. How they bow down before people they once did not even consider worthy political opponents.

But another question is even more worrying.

Do you know who you are uniting with?

Do you hear what is being said about your future political friends? Do you see what controversies and accusations follow them through the public sphere? Do you think about the price paid by those who unreservedly side with someone whose name causes discomfort even among their own fellow citizens?

We have reached the point of absurdity where one is sometimes ashamed to be from the same place as certain actors in public life, let alone to share a political fate and political image with them. It is not good to be a political supporter of people who are following serious accusations. It is not good to remain silent when the public demands answers. It is not good to sacrifice reputation for political gain. And the least good thing is when those who were once the voice of conscience become the voice of justification and relativization. We were proud of you.

We were proud because you said that the legacy of Tuzi is not for sale. That patriotism is not building a political future on someone else's dissatisfaction. That politics must have face. We remember the time when justice was your guiding principle.

Then, I'm sure, you wouldn't agree to changing the club's colors. Then you defended the identity of the community because you knew that tradition cannot be erased by a political decision. Then you wouldn't remain silent in the face of attempts to impose religious symbols where they don't belong. Then you wouldn't agree to the promotion of symbols in kindergarten that divide children instead of uniting them.

Then you would not allow the name of Mahmut Lekić and the values ​​he represented to be thrown into the trash. You would not allow the anti-fascist legacy of Malesija and Tuzi to be forgotten. You would not allow the foundations on which this community was built to be trampled on because of daily politics. Because then you knew one simple truth:

The truth is a lie.

The truth is patriotism.

Honesty is the greatest national value.

Unfortunately, today it seems that for many of you, neither justice nor truth exist anymore. Or they only exist when they serve political interests.

That's why this is not an issue for political parties.

This is a question for people.

People we once considered honorable.

The people we trusted.

People we thought would never trade principles.

That's why we ask you:

Did it offend?

Was it insulting to renounce everything you were saying?

Was it an insult to trample on the words with which you sought the trust of citizens for years?

Was it insulting to lose the most important thing - the respect of citizens - for the sake of political calculation?

Because power passes.

Functions are passing.

Coalitions are falling apart.

But what remains is what a person leaves behind.

And behind this political trade, there remains one question that resonates with the Tuzis louder than all the solemn speeches about unification:

Where have those people we once trusted disappeared to?