Berisha’s accusations against the protest, Bushati: He is destroying the Democratic Party. Hila: They will not take its place as the opposition

The accusations and language used by Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha against the protesters were another point discussed on Ylli Rakipi’s “Të Paekspozuarit” show on Vizion Plus.

According to analyst Andi Bushati, Sali Berisha is certain that if what happened in Serbia and Hungary is repeated in Albania, his party will dissolve.

But analyst Dritan Hila said Berisha’s appeal was aimed at not losing second place—in other words, at retaining its position as the largest opposition party.

Excerpts from the discussion:

Bushati: In the situation we are in, the only thing that can save the Democratic Party is for it to come out today and say: “We have done what we have done, but today we are sacrificing the party to put it at the service of the new movement.” If they do not want to enter the election, then neither will we.

Hila: Why should he turn the party into an NGO?

Bushati: No example is similar. I am saying that, among the two autocracies, we have our own.

Hila: They are not similar at all. Hungary is one thing; Serbia has brought together all the nationalist remnants.

Bushati: The point is that, regardless of whom they have gathered inside, both in Hungary and in Serbia, what has been destroyed is not the government but the opposition. This may not happen in the same way in Albania, but it is also a warning bell for the Democratic Party in Albania.

When the fundamental contradiction in Albania is not between the Democratic Party and the Socialist Party, but between tyranny and the people, it is the old opposition that suffers the most. The Democratic Party must agree to sacrifice itself.

Hila: You are leaving two alternatives: either die or die.

Bushati: What Berisha did yesterday, by attacking a popular protest that has lasted four months, is, in my view, a step toward its destruction.

Hila: As for the idea that Berisha would lead the Democratic Party toward suicide, in my view this is illogical. What Berisha did was refuse to allow himself to be second in the village, because Rama is first in the city. Berisha cannot allow someone else to take over the opposition.