The National Assembly of the Democratic Party called by Sali Berisha kicks off at Air Albania Stadium, under the motto “For an open, strong and united Democratic Party”. Berisha reached out to all Albanian democrats to attend the Assembly, which also falls on the 31 anniversary of the party’s founding.
DP’s leader Lulzim Basha has called on holding the party’s National Assembly on December 18. The rift between the two top party officials spiraled down when the US publicly designated Sali Berisha, ensuing with a ban from the parliamentary group decided by Basha.
18:08 – Berisha’s assembly discharges Basha, 4,446 delegates vote to sack DP’s leader
An absolute majority voted to discharge Lulzim Basha as the leader of the Democratic Party during the National Assembly convened by Sali Berisha.
Democratic Party MP, Belind Këlliçi said that 4,934 delegates attended the assembly, of which 4,446 voted in favor of dismissing Basha and 36 were against.
Former member of the presidency of the Democratic Party Fatbardh Kadilli attended the assembly called by Berisha, where he appealed on Democrats to detach from the past.
He said that the assembly shouldn’t be about replacing Basha with Berisha, but encompass a new version of Albania’s largest opposition party.
“The regulation must first be applied on Basha and Berisha. Only when Basha and Berisha are denied the right to race for the chairmanship, can the real change start”, said Kadilli. “The DP doesn’t need a hero, it needs freedom and equal opportunities. If we’re here to replace Basha for Berisha, then we’re lying to ourselves and the entire world”.
16:00 – Counting gets underway after delegates vote to discharge Basha
The delegates of the Assembly called by Sali Berisha have voted on whether to discharge current leader Lulzim Basha. Votes are now being counted.
Counting underway after delegates cast their ballot on whether to discharge current leader Lulzim Basha
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15:27 – Police forces dispatched near the headquarters of the Democratic Party
Euronews Albania secured some images showing vehicles of the Rapid Intervention Force parked behind the headquarters of the Democratic Party.
13:52 – Berisha slams US Ambassador Yuri Kim, condemns intervention in domestic affairs
Former PM Sali Berisha did not spare criticisms against US Ambassador Yuri Kim, comparing her to the Soviet ambassador during the communist regime. He referred to the US intervention in Albania’s domestic affairs as “brutal”, emphasizing that Kim does not represent the values cherished by the US, but those of George Soros.
“We had to face a brutal intervention from the diplomats of a partner country, the United States. On this occasion, I would like to emphasize and tell these officials that we are an old nation, very few have had to deal with the great powers from antiquity to this day. The Soviet Union, as masterfully put by Reagan, was an evil empire. The US is the opposite, the empire of liberty, values, a great country that has done a lot for the freedom of the Albanian people, more than any other country in the world. It is sad and painful to see the US Ambassador behaving as a governor, just like the Soviet ambassador used to do”, said Berisha.
13:32 – Berisha accuses Basha: You didn’t empower the DP, humble in face of Rama’s regime
Sali Berisha accused Lulzim Basha of staying humble in front of Rama’s regime.
“A representative of the new generation came to lead the Democratic Party, who instead of empowering it did the opposite. He started leading the party by bowing, in violation of all laws in the constitution. He bowed in face of the Rama regime”, declared Berisha.
12:47 – Basha to disappointed Democrats: Past shadows must not trouble you
“The interests of the Democrats are more sacred than anything or anyone else. The shadows of the past must not trouble you”.
These were the opening remarks of Lulzim Basha from the party’s headquarters as he inaugurated a placate containing the signatures of the founding fathers of the Democratic Party of Albania.
12:26 – New statute to nullify Berisha’s ban from DP’s parliamentary group
Article 66 in the new statute will nullify the decision the discharge Berisha from the parliamentary group of the Democratic Party, after his public designation from the US State Department.
“Every act undertaken by the Democratic Party before this statute enters into force running contrary to its provisions will be automatically revoked when this statute enters to force”, the article in the new statute read.
12:02 – US Embassy’s message on the assembly called by Berisha
As the National Assembly called by Sali Berisha convened, the US Embassy sent out a message putting emphasis on the foundation of democracy and the dangers posed to it by corrupted governments and actors.
11:54 – Basha: DP will walk out more united after this anniversary
Lulzim Basha said that the Democrats will be more united after the celebration of the party’s 31 year anniversary.
“The DP will come out more united and determined for Democrats, and not for the interests of anyone else”.
11:35 – Paloka accuses Basha: He turned the opposition into a façade
Edi Paloka declares that Democrats have gathered at Air Albania stadium to reform the Democratic Party. He also accused current leader Lulzim Basha of having turned the opposition into a façade.
10:52 – Edi Paloka to hold opening remarks
Edi Paloka, the head of DP’s National Council will be the first speaker at the Assembly called by Berisha.
09:37 – Basha to hold a ceremony at DP’s headquarters on the 31st anniversary of the party’s founding
A ceremony is set to take place at the headquarters of the Democratic Party to celebrate the party’s 31 year anniversary. Lulzim Basha invited all Democrats to attend the ceremony, which will also include the inauguration of a placate for the party’s founders.
09:00 – What is the expected outcome from today’s assembly?
Euronews Albania journalist Ardit Hoxha revealed that the assembly is expected to vote on the so-called “Basha Article” so that every leader will have to step down if they lose the general elections. If the party’s chair loses in the local elections, a motion of no-confidence will be applied to be voted by the members of the Democratic Party.
08:44 – Delegates and supporters enter the stadium
Delegates will have their own section, while the rest of the stadium is reserved to all the supporters of the Democratic Party who want to attend the party’s National Assembly called by Sali Berisha.
Upon entrance, delegates will be required to evidence their mandate, then vote at several polling stations set up around the stadium for Berisha’s proposals. The electronic verification will be processed through a that they received in advance.
More to follow …
