The Democratic Party, now in opposition, elected a new leader after their internal elections. But beyond the enthusiasm expressed by the former leader Sali Berisha for the newly elected leader, Lulzim Basha, the situation within the Democratic Party doesn’t seem to be that enthusiastic. This was stated by the losing candidate, Sokol Ollbashi, who didn’t even congratulate the winner.
But what is happening at the Democratic Party? Is this a real race? Is the Democratic Party ready for a new beginning? For this and other questions, the vice leader of the Democratic Party gave an exclusive interview on Top Channel’s program “Top Story”, led by journalist Sokol Balla.
Astrit Patozi, vice leader of the Democratic Party: “I’m not one of those who voted 80% for Lulzim Basha, and neither one of those who voted 20% for Sokol Olldashi. The reason is simple. I did not congratulate the winner and didn’t comfort the loser, because I didn’t vote at all. The ballot box was two meters above me, in the office upstairs right above mine, and I didn’t vote, because my vote had no value. Mine was not an action of force, but an action of despair. Because in my party, in the Democratic Party, we were not having a correct race and I didn’t want to participate in a process that was not what we deserve. It was not a correct race, because the winner was previously est. The winner could have been preset and his legitimacy get untouched, but we were in the conditions of an unequal race. We spent energy that were unnecessary to create a division between the democrats. One of the candidates was favored and was considered as coming from the Democratic Party, while the other was treated as an outsider. This was a big mistake that the Democratic Party didn’t need. I am here today to explain to the Democratic Party that July 21st was a mistake that they need to forget as soon as possible, because Lulzim Basha’s result is legitimate. Not because of the result. I believe that he is aware that he doesn’t have 80% of the democrats. I believe that Lulzim Basha must be aware that this wasn’t a correct race, although he can’t say it publicly. It was decided for him before the race, because he was favored by Sali Berisha, who is a very valued and respected figure of the Democratic Party, although he has resigned. We suggested Edi Rama that the opposition leader should be in Parliament, because an opposition leader on the floor would be more efficient when facing the ruling party. But this will not create any problem. We will have problems if the abnormal methods of the race within the party, which haven’t been used even against our opponents, have left a bitter taste for the supporters.
Sokol Balla, "Top Story" host on Top Channel: What were these methods?
Patozi: “Some people close to the power threatened the members to fire them and things like that. We must accept the Albanians as they are. My respect for Sali Berisha remains intact, because every politician has a balance, and Sali Berisha, in these 21 years, since 1992, has left the Democratic Party 13 years in power and 8 years in opposition. An opposition which was very active and which dominated in the developments of our country, even when they didn’t have the power. I have never thought that Mr.Berisha is someone sent by God. He is mortal, as anybody else, and as such he can make mistakes. This is a mistake of Sali Berisha.
Balla: Was it intentional?
Patozi: It doesn’t matter if it was intentional or not, or if it was planned before or during the process. What’s important is that this is a mistake which I don’t think that will change the balances. From September, I will not be the vice leader of the Democratic Party and not even the Head of the Parliamentary Group. I will not run, and I will liberate the new Democratic Party team of any obligation that they might have for me. I will not run for any of the executive positions, and I’m not talking about the leadership.
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