Meeting of Bardhi, Tabaku and Noka with Trump’s envoy, focus on state capture and electoral integrity

Flamur Noka, the general secretary of the Democratic Party, Gazment Bardhi, the head of the parliamentary group, and Jorida Tabaku, the chairwoman of the Human Rights Committee, met with Paulo Zampolli, the special envoy of the United States President for Global Partnerships.

According to the official announcement of the DP, the conversation focused on the political, institutional and economic situation of Albania, as the opposition representatives expressed numerous concerns about the way democracy and institutions function.

From the ranks of the Democratic Party it was said that organized crime and corruption have created an unfavorable environment for foreign investors and have undermined the trust of international partners in Albania.

During the meeting, the concentration of power and political interference in institutions were also discussed. The Democratic representatives asserted that the government of Edi Rama has weakened the separation of powers and has hindered the independent action of the judiciary.

Also, the conversation mentioned what the DP calls the “Soros agenda” in Albania, which the opposition claims has left its mark on the political and institutional developments of the country.

Elections were another key topic of the meeting. The Democrats denounced the use of illegal money, the abuse of the state administration and the links between politics and organized crime, describing these as phenomena that distort the will of citizens in voting.

The DP stressed that the country needs a deep political and institutional reform, with greater accountability, separation and balance of powers, fair political competition and electoral processes with integrity.

For his part, Paulo Zampolli expressed readiness for close cooperation with the Albanian opposition and to support Albania in democratic processes.

Finally, the Democratic Party declared that it will continue to engage for the protection of democracy, the rule of law and national interest, as well as for the strengthening of strategic relations with the United States and allies.