Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha said the DP stands alongside the citizens’ protest, but has no intention of claiming ownership of it or dividing it, stressing that the party’s deputies and members have been present only as citizens.
According to him, the Democratic Party fully supports the protesters’ five demands without reservation. Berisha also explained that, although he does not agree with some of the slogans heard during the rally, he has chosen not to open debates that, in his view, would distract attention from the essence of the protest.
Të lidhura
None found
He described the demonstration as “the most magnificent protest Albania has ever known,” reiterating the Democrats’ support for this civic movement.
Speaking about developments within the Democratic Party, Berisha said the National Assembly has adopted the motto “Renewal” and that modernization will be one of the political force’s main pillars. According to him, an American institute has drafted a platform for the party’s modernization and the new political vision has also been prepared. He added that there will be no protests as previously announced, since the civic protest is being supported.
Berisha also announced that the DP parliamentary group will continue its boycott of plenary sessions, but not of parliamentary committees, until, according to him, Edi Rama’s government presents for review the amendments submitted by Democratic deputies in support of the protesters’ demands.
He called the failure to present these amendments “a serious insult and a violation of rights” and demanded that they be addressed by the Presidency and then sent to parliament for review.
“Our position toward the protest has been this: the protest is not ours, we are making no effort to seize it or divide it, and we will take part with members and citizens.
The deputies have taken part, but as citizens, and so have our members.
We strongly support the five demands.
We do not agree at all with some slogans, but we have not opened polemics, because we do not want in any way to distract from the protest.
This is the most magnificent protest Albania has ever known.
We support the protest.
The DP Assembly proclaimed the motto ‘Renewal’ and guarantees Democrats that value will be our fundamental guiding principle. We have declared modernization a core value.
An American institute has prepared for us an excellent platform that will modernize the party. We have prepared the Democratic Party’s vision and there can be no rest for this party; there is battle and only work.
We have declared non-participation in plenary sessions, but not in committees, until Edi Rama carries out the presentation of the amendments our deputies have submitted regarding the protesters’ demands. Keeping them without presenting them is a serious insult and a violation of rights.
Let the Presidency decide, let us discuss them and present them. It is the most minimal obligation,” Berisha said.
