Speaking during a meeting with local residents and supporters in the central Albanian city of Elbasan, Berisha described the May 11 general elections as a “farce,” accusing the government of using the full power of the executive branch, including tens of thousands of temporary jobs, building permits, property certificates and legalisation approvals, to secure votes.

He also commented on the Constitutional Court’s ruling to reinstate Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, accusing Prime Minister Edi Rama of interfering in the judiciary and saying the ruling was predictable.

Berisha claimed court decisions are increasingly dictated by government interests, adding that the opposition cannot function within “an institutionalized farce.”

“Tomorrow at noon, the DP leadership will meet to urgently decide on the start of uprisings and protests,” Berisha said, stressing that demonstrations will continue until the government steps down. He said around 3,000 supporters are ready to join immediately and that numbers will grow.

Berisha also urged party members to engage young people, saying they played a key role in overturning the dictatorship of Enver Hoxha and should now be mobilized to support the party’s efforts.

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According to him, the court ruling “was scandalous as it held up a previous decision made by a judge who has been removed by the vetting process,” and said that the case will be taken to a higher court.

Basha said that Berisha was seeking to hold the opposition hostage as part of efforts to hold the political monopoly with Prime Minister Edi Rama.

He reiterated commitment to providing Albanians with a fresh and decent political alternative through a political program Basha unveiled earlier this month.

“Berisha turns the court decision into a confirmed fact that keeps holding a part of the opposition hostage with his own personal anxieties. He doesn’t represent an offer to help the country, but instead he is an asset to help Edi Rama stay in power. Albanians need a full alternative and not a persona non-grata. There is no power that can stop our alternative,” Basha stated.

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Speaking to reporters after the College of Chairs meeting, Basha disclosed the collegial decisions following the three-hour long discussions.

Basha announced that DP will take the case to the Supreme Court, saying the Appeals Court’s ruling to recognize Berisha as the DP leader was “illegitimate”.

Basha stated that “the Democrats won’t backtrack and that Albanians will be offered the alternative they have been waiting for in the next year’s parliamentary elections.”

“DP will take the case to the Constitutional Court as it sees the Appeals Court’s decision as illegitimate. It is time to put an end to unlawfulness that keeps Albania hostage to a handful of individuals over the last 34 years. It is time for justice and not injustice to prevail in Albania,” Basha said in a press statement.

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The panel of judges composed of Alma Ahmeti, Iliba Bezati and Elena Toro rejected a petition filed by chairman Lulzim Basha, recognizing former PM Berisha as DP leader.

The court ruling has sparked celebrations among Berisha’s supporters, who have begun gathering at the party’s headquarters in Tirana.

DP lawmaker Flamur Noka hailed the decision as “a good day for the Democrats.”

“The three women judges showed the truth prevails over political orders,” he said.

For over two years, two main factions within the main opposition party have been involved in intense clashes, protests, accusations and a legal battle.

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The request filed by the DP faction demanded that the Appeals Court rejected an earlier court ruling made by judge Agron Zhukri, who recognized a party caucus called by former PM Sali Berisha on December 11, 2021, as legitimate.

Lawyer Indrit Sefa, who represented Alibeaj’s group, told reporters that after the marathon session at the Appeals Court, the panel of judges decided to send the case for retrial to the First Instance Court.

He also said that DP would register with the Central Election Commission for the May 14 elections next Monday.

Now, the First Instance Court will have to re-examine the case, but in the meantime, only Alibeaj’s faction will be able to register for the May 14 local government election.

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The DP appeal rejects an earlier court ruling made by judge Agron Zhukri.

Judge Elona Mihali has been selected to preside over the case about the DP leadership. The panel also includes judges Astrit Kalaja and Ireida Kacerja.

“As part of the communication with the media and the public, the Court of Appeal of the General Jurisdiction, announces that the appeal filed by the Democratic Party against the ruling no. 3, dated 25.03.2022, by judge Agron Zhukri, judge at the Court of the Judicial District of Tirana, is scheduled to be tried on 03.03.2023, at 11:00 a.m., with the panel of judges consisting of the presiding judge Elona Mihali, and members Irida Kacerja and Astrit Kalaja,” the Court of Appeal announced on Friday.

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Results announced by the chairman of DP election commission, Jemin Gjana, on Monday showed that Basha won a landslide victory for a third four-year mandate in the Sunday’s vote for the party leadership.

Gjana said in a press statement that the vote counting process had concluded and he officially announced the final result of the election for the leadership of the largest opposition party.

Gjana said that a total of 41 097 out of 75 767 eligible DP members participated in the election. According to him, Basha won 32,882 votes far ahead of the other candidates: Agron Shehaj, Edit Harxhi and Fatbardh Kadilli.

The European People’s Party congratulated Basha on his re-election as DP leader today, vowing “to jointly continue fight for a European and democratic Albania.”

“Our warm congratulations to Lulzim Basha from our Albanian member party, the Democratic Party of Albania, for his clear re-election as party chairman. Let us continue strengthened and jointly our fight for a prosperous, democratic and European Albania,” EPP said in its message.

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