Paloka after the National Council meeting: Primaries will be held at the district level

The head of the National Council, Edi Paloka, declared this evening that the primaries will be held at the district level on March 1st and that political delegates in the districts will not be included. Paloka also emphasized that the Council, in today's meeting, has also approved the regulation of the primaries.

Full statement: 

The agenda, as you know, was the discussion and approval of the regulation and procedures for the primaries, as the date of March 1 for their holding has been set by a decision of the presidency.

There were discussions, as you have seen, for over two hours, and in the end, with 10 votes against, it was approved.

There were different opinions, mainly the opinion that the primaries might not even take place, due to time, because they could create conflicts and dissatisfaction, issues that have actually been discussed several times among us.

These were minorities, proposals, they were clarified. Also the fact that the primaries are now one of the main points that have been included in the statute of the Re-establishment. Doctor Berisha is adamant on this point, and determined that the primaries will take place. So, in the end the result showed that even the proposals that were to make such changes did not win.

It is the president of the DP, who is elected by the entire membership of the DP, who has the right to decide on this issue.

This proposal was not approved, because the statute would have to be changed in order to accept this proposal to abolish primaries.

It has been made clear since the first day it was proposed by Sali Berisha. The political leaders have been appointed, it was made clear today during the discussions, even by Mr. Berisha, that from that battle when they attacked to eliminate us as the opposition, as the DP, we would not have emerged, even if we were in a winning position today, if we had not united, if we had not united the group, if we had not united the party and if we had not walked on this path that we have walked.

There is an obligation that is related to the progress and victory of the DP.

We all have a common goal, which is the victory of the DP, and we will do everything to achieve this. Of course, we will not open ourselves up to problems and troubles that contradict this goal.

The importance of the diaspora vote this time, which may ultimately be decisive in determining the outcome of the elections, Mr. Berisha also proposed this point for the registration of 300 emigrants for each candidate for deputy, which was received without any opposition. This is also in line with our goal of winning the elections. There is no value for any of us in receiving a mandate, receiving a parliamentary salary. Our goal continues and will remain the victory of the DP, and the personal interest of every democrat should be the victory of the DP, and not the receipt of a personal mandate.

All these measures that are being taken, all these points of proposal that have been made and approved, aim to achieve the maximum result in the elections.