In a press conference today, Berisha said that, “These are the first primaries held in Albania; it is the best, the most democratic procedure that could be held in such cases.”

“This vote constitutes the most democratic basis for the selection of DP candidates for MPs. Of course, in this selection, certain statutory criteria, such as the quotas defined in the statute and laws for women and young people, will be respected because statutory provisions cannot be exceeded,” Berisha said.

Berisha said that, “No process can be perfect and there cannot be one,” while he asked for, “apologies to all those who showed up to vote and were unable to vote due to the list or lack of documents.”

Berisha added that, “The vote counting was done with absolute transparency, with every vote was displayed on the screen.”

Berisha told reporters that, “The primaries were not a competition to be on a safe list, but a criterion in compiling the lists.”

On the other hand, the leading democrat pointed at the ruling majority that its candidacies there are “determined by crime.”

“They are determined by suitcases of money; they are determined beyond any criteria,” Berisha said.

Further on, Berisha underlined that, “There is no stagnation in the negotiations with the allies and that the agreement will be submitted today at midnight.”

“It is an ongoing, but there is no stagnation. We do not have major problems, however, we will see the end,” Berisha said. /a.f/r.e/p.s./

There are 289 candidates for MPs in the race.

The voting process started at 08:00 in all polling centers and will close at 18:00.

The voting method is one member, one vote, while the candidates will be at the regional level, and voting takes place for every region separately. /p.s./

In a press statement, Berisha stated that stepping down before competing in the party’s caucuses is a statutory obligation applicable to any candidates.

“As far as I know, five local leaders of the Democratic Party have resigned, but this is not a final figure. This is a statutory obligation for the DP branch, the voting process and everything else to be distant from all the candidates. Any party chairperson wishing to run in the primaries should firs resign,” Berisha said.

Asked whether the district leaders will compete in the primaries, Berisha said this would be decided by the party’s National Council.

The main opposition party is facing escalating internal tensions over candidate lists for the upcoming May elections. For many within the party, securing a spot on the list of MPs is one of the few remaining incentives in an election where victory seems unlikely. This has turned the candidate selection process into a contentious battleground.

Berisha also announced plans to attend the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) electoral congress in Germany on February 3, adding that he also has an agenda of meetings with the Albanian expatriates there.

“I’ve been invited to attend as party leader, and it’s a one-day event. I had planned a meeting with the Albanian community, but I’ll do that another time,” Berisha said.

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“The primaries will be announced soon; they are open to Albanians wherever they live, in Albania, the diaspora and wherever they are”, said Berisha about the opposition preparations for the upcoming general elections of May 11.

Regarding the out-of-the-country vote, Berisha said that, “We will do the utmost for a transparent process.”

“There is guaranteed an impartial post office in principle, a prestigious international post office that will transport the ballot papers. Meanwhile, there is in place a control mechanism, at all stages of counting these votes. I invite every citizen abroad to exercise their right to vote and to feel proud, that with their vote this time everyone has the opportunity to sign the rotation, the change”, said Berisha.

Responding to a citizen during an online conversation, Berisha said that the Democratic Party will seriously consider opening offices in European capitals for voter registration.

Regarding investments in the island of Sazan, Berisha said that PM Rama is using it to buy political influence.

“Since at least 2001 until today, Sazan has been offered to foreign businessmen periodically. This is the routine offer, which without doubt Edi Rama made to buy political influence. But, we do not oppose an offer that meets the legal rules; we do not oppose offers that are based on respecting the laws and regulations of the country”, said Berisha.

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“Today, the commission has reviewed all the documentation received from the 16 affiliated branches in Tirana. I want to clarify that the commission does not determine, does not evaluate candidacies, but only examines whether the documentation has been completed in accordance with the relevant rules”, Vokshi said in a statement from the DP headquarters.

Vokshi announced the names of the persons who have been self-nominated from the 16 branches for Tirana municipality and who have completed the relevant documentation.

They are Adriana Kalaja, Belind Kelliçi, Enkelejda Fejzo, Fatmir Merkoçi, Gerti Bogdani, Ilir Alimehmeti, and Julian Deda.

Vokshi stated that, “According to Article 12 of the DP statute, the names will be sent to the DP Leading Board, which will meet in the following days, for review and decision-making.”

“The commission will meet again today to review the documentation received from other branches as well to consider some requests that have been addressed on behalf of the commission for deadline postponement in certain branches”, said Vokshi./ r.e/p.s./