The rift between Lulzim Basha and Sali Berisha is expected to lead to even further division down the parliamentary group of the Democratic Party.

In light of the way parliamentarians have positioned themselves so far, Basha might have a group of 37 but not all of them have sided with him publicly.

On the other hand, Berisha has 14 MPs that have openly endorsed him, or that sided with the former prime minister after being expelled from the Democratic Party, too.

Democrat MP Tomor Alizoti has criticized Basha but has not expressed which side he will be aligning with.

Meanwhile, 7 MPs from DP’s list come from its allies. 74 other seats are occupied by the ruling majority, and 4 by the Socialist Movement for Integration.

Democrat legislator Oerd Bylykbashi dismissed voices of a potential rift among the lines of the party’s parliamentary group, adding that Basha cannot expel them from parliament.

He says that the problem rests with those who call themselves “Basha’s lawmakers” and not “Democrat lawmakers”.

Political scientist Ermal Hasimja said that politicians with integrity should not leave fall into demise due to the conflict between Berisha and Basha.

Redi Shehu, sociologist and Executive Director of “MEDIUS” Communication Institute, says that the two factions within the DP are more prone to fight one another than the ruling majority.