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The leader of the Democratic Party raised concerns about the state of democracy, the rule of law and the influence of organized crime, calling on the EPP and European partners to closely follow developments in Albania.
The leader of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, delivered a strong political speech at the European People's Party (EPP) conference in Sarajevo, where he presented a critical picture of the situation in Albania, describing the country as immersed in a deep political, institutional and democratic crisis.
In his speech to the leaders and representatives of European right-wing forces, Berisha declared that Albania is currently in an alarming situation, which he compared to a patient in the "emergency room", while emphasizing that the country's biggest problem remains the lack of free and fair elections.
"Albania is in the emergency room. It is truly in an emergency room. It is facing protests that have not been seen before," Berisha said, adding that the country needs a peaceful and democratic solution to avoid escalating tensions.
One of the main messages of the speech was the demand for the creation of a caretaker government, which according to the opposition leader would guarantee the holding of free and fair elections. Berisha argued that the electoral processes in Albania do not meet democratic standards and that this is the main cause of the political crisis that, according to him, is deepening from year to year.
"The greatest help for Albania would be a caretaker government that would guarantee a free and normal electoral process," he declared.
According to the democratic leader, the protests taking place in the country are an expression of citizens' dissatisfaction and do not represent only the position of the Democratic Party. He emphasized that the movement against the government is broader than the political opposition and that it requires addressing problems related to the functioning of democracy and the rule of law.
During his speech, Berisha accused Prime Minister Edi Rama of ignoring the situation and being cynical towards the concerns of the opposition and protesters. According to him, the government's unwillingness for dialogue and lack of reflection could create further tensions in the country.
"It is of fundamental importance that this be taken seriously and a peaceful solution found, avoiding any clashes that could occur if the government continues to behave in this way," Berisha said.
He warned that ignoring the demands of the opposition and citizens could lead the country into a political and institutional regression.
A significant part of the speech was dedicated to the European integration process and the challenges that, according to Berisha, hinder the Western Balkan countries on the path to the European Union.
The leader of the DP praised the commitment of the European People's Party in the region and thanked its leaders for organizing activities dedicated to the Western Balkans.
He argued that the main problem of the countries in the region remains the weakness of the rule of law and the lack of strong democratic institutions.
"There is nothing more fundamental than strengthening the rule of law to make citizens freer, more prosperous and safer," declared Berisha.
According to him, respect for democratic standards, human rights and international conventions on national minorities should remain a priority for any country aiming for membership in the European Union.
In his speech, Berisha also raised strong accusations regarding the influence of organized crime on Albania's political and institutional life.
He claimed that organized crime has played a role in distorting electoral processes and maintaining political power, referring to assessments that, according to him, have been made by representatives of European institutions.
Berisha focused particularly on the phenomenon of drug trafficking, describing it as one of the most serious problems facing the country.
"There is no great Russian influence in Albania, but there is a terrible power: drugs, drugs, drugs," he said.
Following his speech, the leader of the Democrats also mentioned issues related to environmental protection and respect for European legislation.
He referred to the Zvërnec area, arguing that development projects in this area must respect European standards for the protection of natural habitats and biodiversity.
According to Berisha, failure to respect these rules constitutes another example of problems related to the rule of law in Albania.
At the end of his speech, Berisha called on European partners to pay attention to political developments in Albania and support the peaceful resolution of the crisis.
He stressed that the country needs dialogue, functional institutions, and elections that enjoy the trust of citizens, warning that failure to resolve current problems could have consequences for democratic stability and the European integration process.
"Look at Albania, because dictators never make the right decisions. This crisis must be resolved peacefully and civilly," Berisha concluded in his speech before the EPP conference in Sarajevo.
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