Former President Bamir Topi: Berisha’s claim of third return to power is a “hallucination”

Former Albanian President Bamir Topi, in an interview on MCN, ridiculed Sali Berisha’s claim of a third political comeback, likening it to a “hallucination.” Topi argued that Berisha’s insistence on returning to power is unrealistic and reflects a delusional perspective, given the fragmented state of the opposition.

Why is this important: Topi, who once served  as Berisha’s number two in the Democratic Party, has retired from active politics. However, his opinions still reflect the views of a non-negligible segment of opposition supporters and their concerns about the fate of the opposition under Berisha’s leadership. 

What did he say: Topi claimed that Berisha’s rhetoric is conceived to maintain relevance and control of the party. But he compared Berisha’s claim to a third political resurgence to the hallucinatory mirage of an oasis seen by desert travelers, at once fantastical and disconnected from political reality.

Opposition in crisis: Topi also pointed to the severe divisions within the opposition, which has splintered into multiple factions. He emphasized that many within Berisha’s circle are more focused on securing parliamentary positions than on building a unified and credible opposition.

“They don’t share his hallucinations but exploit the situation to ensure they stay on the lists and in Parliament,” Topi remarked.

A grim outlook: According to Topi, the Democratic Party has hit its lowest point, operating as a “façade opposition” with minimal parliamentary seats guaranteed by current electoral laws. He suggested that both Berisha and Prime Minister Edi Rama benefit from maintaining this status quo, leaving little hope for real political change.