Former MP Ervin Salianji, guest on the show Studio24 -, commented on the situation within the DP, after he was not allowed to run for party leadership against Sali Berisha. He also touched on the departure of figures such as Ilir Alimehmeti and Aulon Kalaja from the movement he started.
Salianji stated that dissatisfaction with Berisha's leadership within the DP is much greater than it appears publicly.
"The situation is this: 80% of Democrats are unhappy with his leadership. If given the opportunity for a secret ballot, he knows they would turn against him. First, he should not be running at all according to the party's statute and law," said Salianji.
He added that he did not take the matter to court as he preferred a political solution within the party.
"I didn't take him to court because I wanted a political solution. I'm asking for the DP to be the winner. Meanwhile, he says: 'Why do you want it to be the winner, because you're good with Rama?'" declared the former MP.
Commenting on the departure of well-known figures from the movement he started, Salianji said that he does not know who Ilir Alimehmeti and Aulon Kalaja will support in the internal DP race.
"I don't know who Alimehmeti and Kalaja would vote for. When Edi Rama came out against Fatos Nano, who did he have on his side? Nobody," he said.
Salianji emphasized that the movement he initiated has produced concrete effects within the party, citing recent appointments in the DP structures.
"If these people don't leave the prison, they can't win. I have achieved a goal. With a cup of coffee, one became mayor. The one with the most votes on the Durrës list became mayor in Krujë. The other is expected to be a candidate for the Municipality of Tirana. They didn't care about them before. How can you say that I haven't achieved anything? This is also part of the strategy," he declared.
In the end, Salianji emphasized that his battle is not aimed at damaging the DP, but at restoring the party to a competitive force through votes and figures who bring support.
"I'm not helping Berisha, I'm going to vote because I want the DP to win. I don't want to destroy the DP. Figures are needed to bring people in, but if a public figure drives people away, then we need to solve this problem," he concluded.
