Sali Berisha held the first meeting of the presidency of the Democratic Party led by him this Tuesday, to further discuss on the local elections. Berisha stood by his earlier stances that the analysis on the May 14th elections should start from the massive vote theft and the intimidation done to citizens by the government in collaboration with criminal structures.
“We will prove every violation of the law in this electoral process. We cannot recognize the result of the elections, when illegal commissioners dominated the voting stations.”
There is not much detail as to who spoke after Berisha in the few minutes that the meeting continued without the presence of the media. However, the most critical stances were expressed before the meeting began.
Mayoral candidate for Tirana, Belind Këlliçi spoke of a comprehensive reflective process.
“We are in times of self-reflection but it does not mean that the elections were not manipulated. We must find a way to overcome any hatred and dissatisfaction we may have and unite all factors. In regards to the leadership, you can refer to the DP statute and you will find your answers there. The time of personal, wishful thinking is gone.”
Jozefina Topalli, political leader for the district of Lezha was even harsher when asked by journalists if there should be a resignation on Berisha’s side.
“First of all, these were not elections. Second, the government will not stop. Third, the opposition cannot be made following the former leader’s model,” Topalli said referring to Lulzim Basha, who resigned from the DP’s leadership in 2022, after a disastrous result in the March 6th partial local elections.
Off camera, several other Democrat MPs expressed their conviction that the party and the opposition as a whole needs reformation in order to return victorious in the upcoming general elections in 2025.
