Jorida Tabaku, member of the Democratic Party’s presidency, said that they were obliged to quickly launch a race for the party’s leadership amid public attacks that began right after the parliamentary elections held on April 25.

“Given that attacks began since April 26, from individuals within and outside the DP at a time when voters were distorted and unclear, and when counting teams were still counting the ballots, the idea was that the discussion should not take place outside of the party, nor on the TV, but within the structures of the Democratic Party”, explained Tabaku.

According to Tabaku, there is always room for debate within the Democrats, and considered this “an added value” of the party. Nevertheless, she reiterated that she would have rather preferred seeing two candidates running for the leadership, instead of four.

“I think that a dignifying race for the party’s leadership should have two candidates, but in terms of the quality of the race and the unification of the party, four candidates would do no harm”.

Furthermore, Tabaku voiced one of her concerns when it comes to the race for the party’s leadership, and that is the divisive language that has been witnessed among the other three candidates.

Asked whether the other candidates will have a fair race against incumbent leader Lulzim Basha, Tabaku explained that all party structures’ have been put at their disposal.

“I support Mr. Basha and I don’t have any problems or restrictions in saying that. When I hear the rhetoric of all the candidates and their divisive language, I am concerned about the future of the DP after June 13. All of the three candidates talk a lot but no one says anything about the DP, apart from Basha, and I believe that’s what the majority of the members see too”, declared Tabaku.