Admitting defeat at the polls, one of the members of the Democratic Party’s presidency, Fatbardh Kadilli called on Lulzim Basha to step down.

Kadilli said on social media that this is the party’s third loss, and called on the presidency to convene immediately to choose a new leader.

“I am hereby calling on the presidency to convene as soon as possible and outline the rules of the race for a new leadership in the party. We don’t have time to lose. We have a mission to form a new opposition for all Albanians ”, Kadilli wrote.

Following the call, he announced his candidacy for the Democratic Party’s chairmanship.

“I urge all Democrats not to surrender. We are the party of values and strength; the successors of the December Movement, believers of the motto: We want Albania to be like the rest of Europe”, he added.

Furthermore, he called on counting teams and observers to defend the ballots cast for the opposition.

Results are still to be announced but according to preliminary data from the Central Election Commission, the SP is leading with 48.65% of the votes, DP 39.35%, and SMI 6.84%.

Just a few moments ago, President Ilir Meta accepted the election results.