A new face appeared on the posters recently. Apparently, this is Nard Ndoka, head of the Christian Democrat Party (PDK), which is more than I knew before some good folks left some comments identifying him. He is not a candidate for mayor, nor does his poster name any other candidate, so I'm not sure what his message is. Thanks to Kim I also now know that he looks like Stephen Harper, the Canadian Prime Minister.
I thought I had found another new candidate when I spotted the poster below from a distance, but up close it turned out to be another poster for Olldashi except that he was being presented as the candidate of the Partia Republikane, one of the Democratic Party's allies in government. Thanks to Adela and Radu for identifying the gentleman in the picture as Fatmir Mediu, leader of PR and Minister of Defence.
Olldashi's campaign has gone mobile. After seeing the Rama bus on Monday, today I spotted at least one Olldashi bus.
I also saw at least three mobile hoardings for Olldashi - two from PD and one from PR.
One supporter added his own mobile contribution to the Olldashi campaign.
I should point out that I am not campaigning on behalf of Mr Olldashi. It just happens that the PD have been more active in getting their advertising onto the streets. There are more posters of Rama appearing, but not nearly as many as those of Olldashi.Some of these Rama posters appeared by the river and portray the mayor against the background of the greenery by the river and some of the new developments in the city centre - no doubt this is deliberate.
Unofficial supporters of the left have also been active in a rather more negative campaign.
Finally, Mjaft have also been on the campaign trail, encouraging people to vote. One of the posters they are using tries to persuade us that 'voting is sexy'. I imaging they were trying to be humourous, but it just looks tacky. For those who can read Albanian there is a debate about this poster over at Peshkupauje, including a response from Mjaft (in the comments under 'klajdevour').
Comments
Borat would approve the MJAFT posters!
Sexytime!
Llukan, I saw the post this morning before I went out and got the basic story. As soon as I saw the poster I knew it was the one under discussion.
Even if you don't consider it sexist, it is certainly a serious misjudgement by Mjaft. Surely they could have predicted the response?
Cool photos Alwyn, seems like voting frenzie these days in Tirana:D
Alwyn, did you manage to become an observer?
Lukan, if Ndoka is not a candidate, why are his posters up? As far as I can tell his slogan is Time for one-another. But I didn't see any candidates' names mentioned.
I did sign myself up for observation. I was thinking of going to some of the more distant areas at first, but decided since I am OMIT I should stick to Tirana. I'm not sure if the rules will allow me to take photographs, but at least I will be able to write about it.
It is a complicated system; compromise being the focus vs. simplicity :(
There is no harm in introducing a little bit of compromise into Albanian politics