The former Speaker of Assembly and former deputy leader of the Democratic Party, Jozefina Topalli, introduced on Wednesday a new political movement called “Movement for Change”.
She confirmed her decision to run in the parliamentary elections, invited by a group of young people united by a patriotic cause.
Former MP Topalli will elaborate on the details behind her decision to re-enter politics during a live interview with Ilva Tare on Euronews Albania.
The former deputy chair of the DP said that desire to re-enter politics came after reflecting on her long political career.
“Just shortly before I arrived here, I got a call from a person who was telling me that they wanted to flee the country. This is very saddening. In one year, 130.000 Albanians have left the country. This is truly painful and based on this, these young people believe that they can raise awareness and avoid that a total abandonment of the country”, said Topalli.
“After 30 years, it is the first time that I see our country, which has been among the most optimistic, now ranks at the bottom according to recent statistics by the UN”, added Topalli.
In addition, she said that before changing others “we need to change ourselves”, adding that this was her starting point as she has reflected on what has happened in Albania in the last couple of years, including when the Democrats were in power.
“I have my own share of responsibility even though I’ve never been part of the ministerial cabinet, I was not involved in decision taking or creating reforms, tenders, etc. The duty of the parliament’s speaker is basically following protocol. I am proud for the NATO membership, visa liberalization but of course there are many things that could have been done better”, she said.
On her expectations from the Democratic Party
The leader of the Movement for Change accused the three main political forces in the country for the deepening crisis.
“The essence of the current crises lays within the political factors. The battle will be difficult as we are facing three party leaders who have the power, financial resources and support from the media”, she said.
Asked on her current relationship with the Democratic Party, the former MP spoke in extensive details and launched a series of accusations against leader Lulzim Basha.
“I wanted a reform within the party that I have been a part of for over 20 years. I have an inextricable connection with the Democrats and I do not confuse them with specific structures or leadership. I strongly doubt that it’s still a “Democratic Party” because to be democratic you need a European vision, which unfortunately is not in sight today”.
