Basha reiterated DP requests for the new electoral reform.

“Our requests and position regarding the electoral reform have been already institutionalized. Guaranteeing free and fair elections would definitely call for much more than the rules of game, yet without rules we stand no chance of having an cleared path towards an electoral system to allow citizens to elect their representatives in parliament instead of the party leaders,” Basha told his party supporters.

He said that DP has tabled proposal for open candidate lists, electronic voting and ballot counting, and the Diaspora vote in elections.

Basha also reiterated his party’s support for the Special Anti-Corruption and Anti-Crime Prosecution Office (SPAK) and the efforts to put an end to impunity in Albania.

/u.sh/

“We support SPAK to look into corrupt officials and bring them to justice. We say no to the amnesty for corrupt officials, but we support amnesty for ordinary citizens,” Basha said in his remarks at his party’s electoral assembly in Administrative Unit 9 in Tirana.

According to Basha, “facing Edi Rama and his government requires courage, determination and clarity.”

“That’s why we are here to say yes to vetting the politicians, verification of their integrity, their inappropriate connections and their wealth and removal from politics of everyone who fails to pass the politicians vetting test. We are here to say no to the parliamentary immunity for lawmakers,” Basha stated.

Commenting on the electoral reform, he said that DP supports the open candidate lists so that Albanian citizens can elect their preferred candidates for lawmakers.

/u.sh/

Basha stated at a press conference that “unequivocal and unconditional support for SPAK is imperative for DP.”

DP chairman claimed that “SPAK is being targeted by the government because of the anti-corruption investigations.”

“If the government under the anxiety, plans to exert pressure on SPAK because of the investigations launched by the structure, then they must count on the strongest opposition of the Democratic Party and all our allies,” Basha said.

According to him, “SPAK and justice reform are not perfect, yet they represent the only chance the country has been provided with over these 33 years to put an end to impunity.”

/m.m/u.sh/

The DP chairman said that certain politicians are to be blamed for the current situation in the country, as “they are using power as their property, depriving young people from taking their fate into their own hands.”

“Young people will be entrusted a special role in DP’s reorganization process, allowing them to take over leading roles at every level,” Basha said.

“Albania has tremendous potential to develop and allow young people build their lives here. Albania will develop through the energy, work and commitment of young people. It is our duty to trust them so that young people can decide their future. DP is a party that was founded by young people and will become a political force that embodies the dreams and hopes of young people,” DP leader said at meeting with youth activists in Vlora.

DP chairman stated that a process to vet politicians should be the next step to overhaul the country’s political system and remove corrupt politicians.

/u.sh/

Reacting to an earlier post by the Prime Minister Edi Rama regarding construction of a  multifunctional tower “Mount Tirana” in the centre of the Albanian capital, the opposition leader branded the project as “mount of corruption.”

“The longer the list of his close accomplices already either imprisoned or wanted by justice because of the greed prevailing in his government, the longer Rama’s statements,” Basha said in a statement.

He reiterated that vetting of politicians would be the solution in the efforts to fight corruption.

“Given that the mount of corruption right at the heart of Tirana seems to him to be a hay of mud, there is a simple solution to separate the truth from the mud,” Basha said.

“Since vetting is good when it comes to judges, prosecutors and policemen, why it shouldn’t be as such when it comes to politicians,” he stated, adding that the opposition DP has submitted its proposal to parliament and it would take just political will to approve vetting in politics.

/r.e/u.sh/