Berisha explains why he did not include Sula and Alimehmet in the closed list: There was no room

DP Chairman Sali Berisha explained why he did not include Dashnor Sula and Ilir Alimehmeti in the closed list, even though they received the most votes in the Primary Election. 

Invited to Top Story, Berisha said that Klodjana Çapja, the most voted woman in the Elbasan district, was placed in his place, as he explained that there is a standard in placing mayors on the lists.

Regarding Ilir Alimehmet, the leader of the Democrat Party said that he had no place on the closed list.

Excerpts from the discussion:

Rakipllari: You're back with a mission to bring the Democrats to power, right?

Berisha: A little more broadly. I returned to stop this evil and to unite the DP.

Rakipllari: From this point of view, the Tirana list has two problems. The closed list is not courageous, it is a list from the 2000s, it is not from the current decade. When you returned to the leadership of the DP, you promised that candidates would be elected through primaries, you did not implement this criterion, those who were at the top are not on the list. Why did you not dare with a list of new candidates and why did you not implement what you said?

Berisha: This is just an appearance. If we study that list, it turns out differently, in the closed list are the chairman and the secretary general of the party who have an irreplaceable role. Vokshi has a very great commitment and great efficiency. There is Topalli, so she was the speaker of parliament and coordinator for the diaspora. There is Belind Këlliçi, Klevis Balliu, the most voted candidates in Tirana.

Rakipllari: Couldn't you have young people who inspire young people?

Berisha: There is only one minister, which is Flamur Noka. There is also Mediu who is an ally. If you go to parliament anywhere in the world, you find new deputies, but there are also old deputies. Paloka spent his entire life in politics. Edi Paloka, a journalist from the early days of the movement, is the speaker of the DP Parliament, which is why he was appointed to that position. Këlliçi is young, Besart Xhaferi, Klevis Balliu, Tedi Blushi.

The most voted in Elbasan was Dash Sula from men, but there was also Çapja from women. For women you have a different standard and you are forced to put 1 in 3, woman. Klodiana Çapja came out the most voted in by women in the Elbasan district.

Rakipllari: Berisha promised 'you will decide them in the primaries'. Why is Hysen Kadiu not there? Why is Alimehmeti not on the closed list, Tabaku…

Berisha was there, but there was no place to put him, the list had 12 places. Kadiu deserved it, but there were no places. Even from those on the list, there are Primaries.

Rakipllari: Why Igli Cara yes, and Dash Sula no?

Berisha: Cara won the race. Because instead of Dash Sula, a lady named Klodjana Çapja was chosen.