Biberaj: The Democratic Party has reached its lowest point since its founding; we supported Berisha’s return, but it was not the right solution

Aleksandër Biberaj, a former Democratic Party MP and member of its National Council, described the students’ protest as a revolution and called on lecturers, intellectuals and citizens to support the young people.

During an interview on News24, Biberaj said that students should be supported in their resistance, while warning that the involvement of political parties could harm and divide the movement. He also referred to the 2018 protest, which, he said, failed to achieve its objectives because of internal divisions.

“What is happening is a revolution, and it is a pleasure to be part of it. This is a duty toward the country and society; for us, the responsibility is even greater because this concerns our students and children. They must be supported, and in this case I call on lecturers, intellectuals, family members and students to stand by them so that their demands are met.

In the meetings we have held with professors at various levels, everyone has agreed with this position. We have not encountered a single lecturer who expressed reservations. The only concern of the professors and students is that political parties should not intervene to take advantage of the situation or divide this movement, since the 2018 protest was also divided and failed to achieve its goals,” Biberaj declared.

Speaking about the situation within the Democratic Party, he acknowledged that internal democracy in this political force has been weakening. According to him, the DP is currently at its lowest point since its founding.

As factors that contributed to this deterioration, Biberaj listed the Gërdec tragedy, the events of January 21, 2011, the DP’s coalition with the Socialist Movement for Integration in 2009, and the lack of competition within the party. He described the election of Lulzim Basha as its leader as a misfortune for Democrats, while regarding Sali Berisha’s return, he said that despite the support given to it, it did not prove to be the best solution.

“The Democratic Party began its journey as a force with internal democracy, but unfortunately this democracy has gradually faded. Gërdec, January 21, the 2009 agreement with the LSI and the lack of competition were moments that marked its degradation. The appointment of Lulzim Basha was a misfortune for the Democratic Party. Then the doctor returned, with promises, and we supported him, but it turned out that this was not the best solution. I think that today the party is at the lowest point of its political standing since its founding,” he said.

The former MP also criticized the boycott of the territorial reform, the failure to participate in the 2019 local elections and the opposition’s relinquishment of its parliamentary mandates. He described these decisions as “political suicide.”

Biberaj particularly praised the Democratic Party’s first governments, singling out the 2005–2009 period. However, he stressed that Gërdec and the joint government with the LSI represented unfavorable turning points for the party. Regarding Edi Rama’s government, he issued harsh criticism and described it as the worst in Albania’s history.

“The DP government in 1992–1996 was the best the country has ever known. It was followed by the government of 2005–2009, during Berisha’s first term, which was cut short by the Gërdec tragedy. It is known how developments in Albania continued after that event. The 2009 coalition with the LSI was another political suicide.

Edi Rama’s government, from 2013 to the present, is the worst Albania has ever had, even worse than the communist government. Crime, corruption, the complete politicization of the public administration and the numerous scandals would be enough to bring down any government. It has not fallen because it has faced a weak opposition,” Biberaj declared.

According to him, the opposition must return to the role of a genuine governing alternative and a moral institution. He argued that, in the face of the government’s numerous scandals, the opposition should have mobilized tens of thousands of citizens in protests.

Biberaj clarified that his support for the student protest stems from his convictions as a citizen and university professor, and is unrelated to his position within the DP. He said he remains a member of the party, where he built his political career and made his contribution, but that this does not prevent him from criticizing its leadership.

“I support the students’ protest as a citizen of this country and as a university professor. The Democratic Party is a separate matter. It is the party where I developed my political career, contributed and of which I have been highly critical. They are two different lines,” he said.

In conclusion, the former MP called for a deep reform of the Democratic Party, a change of its elites and the establishment of genuine competition within its structures. He said that free and fair elections are essential for the party to regain public trust and overcome the crisis in which it finds itself.