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EPP Conference, Berisha: Albania in crisis, elections have turned into a farce, caretaker government needed

Politiko 2026-06-09 11:33:29

EPP Conference, Berisha: Albania in crisis, elections have turned into a farce,

Speaking to the media from Sarajevo where he is attending the European People's Party (EPP) conference, the leader of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, has articulated a strong critical stance towards the political situation in Albania, describing the electoral process as an 'electoral farce' and calling for the creation of a caretaker government to guarantee free elections.

Berisha praised the commitment of the EPP and its leaders, including President Manfred Weber and the Secretary General, for the increased focus on the Western Balkans and the European Union enlargement process, emphasizing that this commitment constitutes a counterweight to 'enlargement fatigue'.

According to him, the path towards European integration remains uncontested, but the fundamental condition is respect for the rule of law, both at the national and international levels, through the implementation of conventions and guarantees for the rights of citizens and minorities.

Berisha stated that Albania is going through a deep institutional and rule of law crisis, while the civic and youth protests, according to him, are an expression of widespread public dissatisfaction and the demand for political change.

Berisha: In my speech, I emphasized that from the experience I have had as Prime Minister and the one that follows the process, there is no doubt that the most excellent future of our nations is their membership in the EU. But in this context, one of the most basic, most fundamental conditions is the respect for the rule of law at the national and international levels. Meaning at the national level the respect for all rights and freedoms of citizens, the respect for independent institutions, the respect for the functioning of the justice system, the functional market economy. So, the integration process itself has as a major goal to make Albanian citizens freer, more prosperous, more secure.

I emphasized that the rule of law should be considered not only at the national level, but also at the international level in the sense of the implementation of all international conventions, charters and agreements, on which the freedoms and rights of citizens, minorities and the integration process are based. I expressed the opinion that respect for these charters, respect for these conventions is a fundamental condition for minorities to enjoy true freedoms in the countries where they live.

Secondly, I expressed that in the best interest of our nations, some past disputes should be closed as our two countries in the region, Croatia and Slovenia, closed them and which today are an inspiring example for us with their progress.

Of course, a special place and special interest was the issue of developments in Albania. I emphasized that the current government has transformed the electoral process into an electoral farce, according to all international documents on elections. I emphasized that its connections with crime are the main 'Big Brother' that punishes Albanians. Albania does not have a dangerous Russian presence, so to speak, but Albania has drugs, which is a powerful decision-maker at all levels and that this decision-maker, this factor gives Edi Rama and the government those privileges that the law does not allow, is active in the electoral process.

So I put forward the view that a caretaker government for free elections is necessary and then I focused on the crisis that the country is going through. A crisis that has at its core the violation of the rule of law at the national and international levels. I emphasized that the protesters, the youth and the Albanian citizens are demanding for all reasons the removal, the resignation of Edi Rama and that he is treating the protest in a contemptuous, threatening and unworthy manner. I guaranteed that the protest is unstoppable. I emphasized that this is not an act of the Democratic Party, but the Democratic Party supports it.