FLASH
Shkruar nga Ardit Rada
The elections showed that opposition potential is not lacking.
With the May 11 results still uncertified, Sali Berisha has called for a protest on “Zogu I” Boulevard under the call to defend the vote stolen by the socialists. But, instead of being a demonstration for democracy, this protest is an act of political isolation and damage to Albania’s image on one of its most important days on the international stage.
Protesting on the day when Tirana hosts the most important leaders of the European Union is like knocking on the door of your house when you have guests. While the partners themselves have been trying for years to support Albania towards integration. Therefore, instead of showing stability and political prudence, Berisha's protest in front of the European summit is an act of sabotage against the country's reputation.
Sali Berisha talks about "stolen votes", but it is a fact that even within the DP itself there is already a tacit acceptance: the elections were not lost by votes, but by the opposition itself - divided, without a program, without new faces and with a leader declared "non grata" by the US and Britain. Preliminary reports from internationals do not speak of manipulation, while the leaders who will come to Tirana for the Summit have begun congratulating Rama, thus certifying the result of May 11. Today, Berisha is not a victim of vote theft, but a victim of a narrative that no one believes anymore, neither within his ranks nor beyond the country's borders.
The elections showed that the opposition potential is not lacking. Otherwise, there is no way to explain the 120 thousand opposition votes that went to new parties and not to Sali Berisha. The DP will probably not regain the trust of the citizens as long as they are led by a leader who represents the past and who uses the party as a personal means of political survival. The departure of Berisha and his loyalists remains the only alternative that would pave the way for a new, modern, pro-European opposition capable of fighting with ideas, not nostalgic appeals. The DP has the potential to reform, but this potential is hindered by the shadow of a leader who has forgotten to leave with dignity, surrounded by servile people or those who share common interests with him against justice and pro-corruption.
Today, the Police denied Berisha permission to protest after violating the security perimeter for the Summit. But the Democrats still have one option, if they feel that something has been stolen from them and they need to express their anger by gathering in the streets: They should protest at boulevard 'Jean D'arc', No. 11, at the headquarters of the Democratic Party. There, where Berisha 3 years ago protested with fire and fire against Lulzim Basha to return to the head of the DP and to receive today exactly 13 mandates less than Basha in 2021. Because the Democrats' votes were not stolen by Edi Rama, but by the capture of the party by a man who uses the blue flag as a shield against the investigations of his family and international isolation. Instead of chanting "Down with Rama", the Democrats should raise banners that say: "Enough, doctor!", because there is no reform, unity or credibility of the opposition with a leader who seeks eternity at a time when the country in every aspect needs the new one.
At the end of the day, May 16 is not a day to protest a loss that was not a theft, but a day to reflect on a simple reality: The Albanian opposition no longer has the luxury of being hostage to one man. Albania needs opposition, not nostalgia. And the DP needs freedom, not hostage-taking.
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