Democratic Party Leader calls for national protest by opposition
Two weeks after the Court of Appeals recognized him as the rightful leader of the opposition Democratic Party, Sali Berisha convened the Democratic Party Steering Committee where he called for unity and announced a national protest against the Government on July 12. In an official press statement after the meeting, the DP declared that the protest will demand the release of Berisha from house arrest and the installation of a technical government to organize the upcoming general elections.
Context
Despite being confirmed as the leader of the Democratic Party by the Court of Appeals after a long legal battle between two factions of the party, Mr. Berisha remains under house arrest and persona non-grata in the US and UK, alongside his entire family, accused of engaging in significant corruption. Just last week, the Special Immigration Appeals Commission in the UK upheld the decision of the Home Office in response to an appeal by Mr. Berisha’s lawyers, while barely a day later, the Special Court of Appeals against Corruption and Organized Crime refused to release him and his son-in-law from house arrest.
Given his legal situation, there are serious doubts about whether the Democratic Party can mount a significant challenge to the ruling Socialist Party in the general elections scheduled for spring 2025. Despite enjoying the support of most of the Democratic Party, significant segments and senior representatives of the opposing Democratic faction, have refused to join him. There are rumors that there are plans afoot by these members to establish another party; a move that would further split the opposition electorate. Mr. Berisha’s longtime ally, former President Ilir Meta, is busy dealing with his own legal and personal difficulties. Furthermore, given his current situation, there have been accusations of Mr. Berisha using the Democratic Party and the regular protests it has organized as a means of pressuring the Government and justice institutions in order to improve his own legal position.
On the other hand, the ruling Socialist Party has already begun work to prepare for the 2025 elections by reorganizing and mobilizing party structures. They aim to win an unprecedented fourth mandate, and given the situation within the Democratic Party, their chances of achieving this seem quite positive.