September 9 was the day marking the beginning of a divisive and controversial battle within the Democratic Party – the one between the current leader, Lulzim Basha vs. his predecessor and the party’s historical leader, Sali Berisha.

After being expelled from the Democrats’ Parliamentary Group, Berisha has now warned that he will be making particular moves within the party in order to “get it back on the pedestal it deserves”.

“I will take any legal and statutory initiatives within DP, in order to put it back on the pedestal it deserves…” said Berisha.

But how can Sali Berisha actually start this implied ‘retaliation’ within DP?

Based on the Democratic Party’s statute, Sali Berisha is faced with 2 paths that could lead him to the same goal – countering Lulzim Basha.

• Berisha has called Basha’s decision ‘null and void’, but in order to officially counter it, he will need to consult article 54 in the statute.

Clause no. 2 of this article states, “the commission assesses the complaints made by members of PDSH against any disciplinary measures that could be undertaken against them, by each party body…”

This request will be assessed by the Appeals, Integrity, and Etiquette commission, which is led by Flutura Acka. This commission will be the one to decide whether or not Basha’s decision to expel Berisha from the parliamentary group is legitimate.

• The second path would be through initiating a motion of no confidence at the National Assembly, which should be backed up by at least half of the members of the National Council.

As a rule, the National Assembly convenes every 4 years – it is usually called by the chair, the leadership of the party, and/or by ¼ of the National Assembly’s members.

After July 17^th’s Assembly, the new National Council of the Democratic Party is made up of 487 members.

Whatever direction Berisha decides to take, these are the 2 most favorable routes, from a legal perspective, that he can take, in order to counter Basha’s most recent decision to temporarily oust him from the parliamentary group of DP.

In the weeks to come, it will eventually become more apparent what that decision may be and how it will play out for Berisha and the rest of the party.

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