The Democratic Party must stop digging

Former U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld once said, “When you’re in a hole, stop digging.” One cannot think of better advice for the Democratic Party (DP), which seems committed to dig itself deeper and deeper into political irrelevance. Today’s events in Parliament—clashes, burning chairs, and throwing projectiles at the Speaker—are symptomatic of a party that seems to believe the only chance it has of emerging from the hole it has maneuvered itself into, is to dig and dig in the hope it might emerge on the other side.

Today’s protest, allegedly sparked by the conviction of Democrat MP Ervin Salianji, reflects DP’s increasing detachment from reality. The image of the Democratic Parliamentary Group pulling chairs out of Parliament, putting them on fire and standing around the fire in protest, was truly bizarre. Just as bizarre is the idea that someone like Ervin Salianji, convicted of false reporting, could become the hero the Democrats need to mobilize a popular uprising against the Socialist Government. First, Salianji is not hero material. Second, this is not about Salianji. This is about Sali Berisha, who continues to pull the strings from his perch on the 8^th floor, where he is confined under house arrest awaiting trial accused of corruption. This is about Berisha, who faces the challenge of his life because of his upcoming trial, but also because of his designation as persona non-grata by the US and UK, and as always, when pushed with his back against the wall, resorts to stoking tension to shield himself.

What is most alarming is that Berisha cannot—or refuses to—distinguish between his own fate and that of his party. Instead of stepping aside to allow the DP time to heal and regenerate, regain the trust of the people, and formulate a new political offer, Berisha is actively working to gain complete control of what is left of the Democratic Party. The rumors circulating about his daughter, being groomed to take over the party are especially troubling. The idea of a political dynasty, where Berisha hands over control of DP to his daughter as one would the family business, would be the final nail in the coffin for a party already struggling to regain credibility.

Herein lies one of the most serious problems with Berisha, the Democratic Party and those who follow him. They never truly understood that a political party, especially one like the Democratic Party, is a public asset. It is not a family fief to be inherited by sons or daughters and to be led by people like Flamur Noka who have not been chosen for their intellect and vision, but just for their blind loyalty. Or the opportunists that warmed their hands around the burning chairs in front of the Parliament, who are willing to perform 180-degree pirouettes anytime the leader demands it. Such individuals are usually symptoms of ill health in a party, not the promise of a bright future, with new ideas and fresh faces.

The problem is simple: DP is stuck in an endless cycle of theatrical protests and fake outrage, with no clear agenda for governance. Instead of focusing on rebuilding itself from within, the party continues to escalate tensions, organize protests, and attack institutions. These are the actions of a party that has lost its way. DP must shift its focus from its dramatic outbursts—burning chairs, throwing Molotov cocktails, and abandoning parliamentary mandates—to serious political work.

And this is where the biggest challenge lies. Who within the party can rise to this occasion? Respected figures like Jorida Tabaku, along with a few other prominent members, have the potential to steer the party in a more constructive direction. But they face an uphill battle in a party dominated by loyalty to Berisha who has little interest in figures with a more modern, reform-minded approach.

DP’s behavior is also completely out of step with public opinion. We would do well to remember, that besides Berisha, the Special Structure Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) – the crown jewel of the justice reform sponsored and guaranteed by the US and EU – has jailed or placed under investigation 23 members of the ruling Socialist Party. For this SPAK is widely respected and supported by the public. The people want to see accountability, regardless of party affiliation. There have been no protests or curses directed against SPAK by the Socialist Party. Not because the Socialists love SPAK. Not because there are not among the Socialists many who hate or fear SPAK with all their heart. But the party in power understands that the public demands transparency and justice. The DP’s attacks on SPAK on the other hand – for the sake of discredited politicians like Berisha – if anything, make the party look completely out of touch with the public mood.

But with these ridiculous actions – what with daily gatherings under Berisha’s window and countless protests in front of the Municipality of Tirana where there is more smoke from the Molotovs and more burned tires than protestors – are not just damaging DP. They are also damaging Albania. They are harming our country’s image mere days away from the Second Intergovernmental Conference with the EU which will be held on October 15. They are harming our image while the most successful tourist season in our history is still ongoing. But this perhaps is the point.

It is time for the Democratic Party to stop burning chairs, mandates, and opportunities—and get serious about getting out of the hole it has dug itself into. It is time for DP to begin the long road to rehabilitation, focusing on new ideas, new proposals, and new leadership. The party must stop looking for the next thing to burn and instead focus on what it can build. Because if they keep digging, they may well burrow their way to Australia, but they are not getting any closer to the electoral victory that has eluded them since 2009.

Opinion by Maklen Misha