TIRANA, March 17/ATA/ During today’s press conference, Chairman of the Democratic Party Sali Berisha presented a picture of the political situation in the country pointing at the decision of the socialist ruling majority not to lift the immunity of Belinda Balluku, something which has also led to blocking of the country’s European integration process.
During his speech, Berisha focused on the Interim Standards Assessment Report (IBAR) on integration, where according to him “Albania failed to be promoted to a higher grade”, emphasizing that the non-voting by some European Union member states constitutes an alarm signal for the failures of the Albanian government.
He appreciated this development as “dramatic”, adding that the partner countries “raised a series of fundamental issues” and are demanding an integration process based on merit, which he considered to be “in the absolute best interest of Albanian citizens”.
“Because this process based on merit is the absolute best interest of Albanian citizens. A process without merit is a punishment for Albanian citizens”, said Berisha.
During his speech, the DP leader rejected any claim of an “Albanian interpretation” of immunity, calling it “a fraud.” He emphasized that in the past “the immunity of Ilir Meta, Fatmir Mediu, and twice of Lulzim Basha has been lifted,” arguing that the standard has always been based on the prosecutor’s requests and on constitutional and legal interpretation.
Berisha also called for civic mobilization, calling March 22 “The day of the most powerful peaceful uprising that Albania has known,” and invited citizens to come out in protest to express “revolt, anger and contempt” against the government. /m.q/j.p/p.s./
