THE FREEDOM OF MY COUNTRY CANNOT BE MAINTAINED BY THE POLICE AND THE ARMY Democracy, Equal Voting Rights, the Rotation of Power, and the Fight Against Oligarchy and Illicit Wealth By Flamur Buçpapaj

THE FREEDOM OF MY COUNTRY CANNOT BE MAINTAINED BY THE POLICE AND THE ARMY
Democracy, Equal Voting Rights, the Rotation of Power, and the Fight Against Oligarchy and Illicit Wealth
By Flamur Buçpapaj
The freedom of a nation is not measured by the number of police officers on its streets, the strength of its army, or the size of its security institutions. It is measured by respect for the Constitution, the independence of the judiciary, equality before the law, and the genuine opportunity for citizens to elect and remove their leaders through free elections. History teaches us an important lesson: no government can remain in power indefinitely through the force of the police, the army, or politically controlled institutions alone. Force may impose obedience for a time, but it cannot replace democratic legitimacy. The police and the armed forces are essential institutions for national security and constitutional order, but they must never become instruments for maintaining political power. A democratic state must not fear free citizens, critical voices, peaceful protests, or the democratic transfer of power. On the contrary, these are signs of a functioning democracy.
Article 2 of the Constitution of the Republic of Albania establishes that sovereignty belongs to the people. Article 18 guarantees equality before the law, while Article 45 establishes the right to vote and to stand for election, guaranteeing that the vote is personal, equal, free, and secret. These are not political slogans; they are constitutional principles that must guide every institution and every government. State power is not the property of a political party, a political family, a business group, or an individual. It derives from the people and must be exercised in accordance with the Constitution and the laws of the Republic. If citizens formally possess the right to vote but feel threatened, economically dependent, or compelled to vote according to the interests of others, democracy faces a serious problem.
The vote is the principal instrument through which citizens hold those in power accountable. It must not be a mere formality repeated every four years, but a genuine mechanism for democratic accountability. Elections must be free, fair, and transparent, without vote-buying, administrative pressure, or unlawful interference. The democratic rotation of power is not a weakness of the state; it is proof that authority originates from the people. No political party, government, or individual is irreplaceable. Citizens must have the opportunity to change their government through their votes, while institutions have a duty to guarantee fair competition and respect for electoral results. The vote of an ordinary citizen must have the same legal value as that of a politician, a powerful businessperson, or a representative of any interest group.
One of the challenges facing modern democracy is the relationship between political power and concentrated economic interests. When a limited number of economic actors exercise excessive influence over public decision-making, there is a risk that government policies will no longer serve all citizens equally. This issue must be addressed through facts, financial records, independent investigations, and institutional transparency. It is not enough to label someone an oligarch; public procurement procedures, concession contracts, conflicts of interest, the ultimate beneficial owners of companies, and sources of political financing must be examined. The state must guarantee fair competition, opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses, transparency in the use of public funds, and equal enforcement of the law. There must be no privileged citizens and no citizens left unprotected before the law.
The fight against organized crime and corruption cannot be limited to arrests and public statements. It must also follow the financial trail of criminal activity. Albanian Law No. 10,192 of 3 December 2009, as amended, provides for preventive measures targeting assets connected with organized crime, trafficking, corruption, and other offences specified by law. Law No. 34/2019 regulates the administration of seized and confiscated assets. The Agency for the Administration of Seized and Confiscated Assets plays a role in managing these assets, while investigations and decisions on confiscation belong to the competent authorities under the law. These institutions must cooperate to identify suspicious assets, verify sources of income, ensure professional asset management, and maintain transparency regarding how such assets are preserved and used. The public must be able to learn about institutional performance through official reports and data, within the limits established by law. Assets obtained through crime must not remain a source of wealth for the perpetrators. However, no property should be confiscated arbitrarily simply because its owner is wealthy, politically influential, or opposed to the government. Every action must be based on evidence, due process, and the right to legal defence.
The police and the armed forces are vital institutions of the Republic, but their duty is to protect security, human life, constitutional order, and national sovereignty within the powers granted to them by law. They must not be used to intimidate political opponents, suppress peaceful protests, or protect partisan interests. Every allegation of abuse must be independently investigated. A state that respects its citizens does not treat criticism as a threat; it responds with arguments, evidence, and accountability. The true strength of a state lies in public trust, an independent judiciary, and respect for fundamental rights.
Albania needs credible elections, independent institutions, financial transparency, evidence-based investigations, oversight of public contracts, protection of freedom of expression, and a determined fight against corruption and organized crime. These are not privileges belonging to one political party, nor are they demands made on behalf of a particular political group. They are fundamental requirements for a state governed by the rule of law and the public interest. Democratic change must come through voting, freedom of expression, peaceful protest, justice, and the enforcement of the Constitution.
I believe Albania needs a democracy in which citizens are not afraid to speak, votes are not bought, illicit wealth cannot hide behind political influence, and justice recognizes no untouchable names. No government stands above the Constitution, no wealth stands above the law, and no citizen should receive less protection because of poverty, personal convictions, or a lack of influence.
The freedom of my country cannot be maintained through fear, but through justice. Democracy cannot be sustained by the power of those who govern, but by the votes of the citizens. A state does not become strong by serving the powerful, but by guaranteeing equality for all. Freedom is not a gift from those in power; it is the right of every citizen.
Flamur Buçpapaj