The leader of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, during an electoral meeting in Berat, has made strong accusations against the government and Prime Minister Edi Rama, accusing him of fraud and abandonment of the city of Berat. In a speech to the citizens, Berisha said that over the last 12 years, the city has faced impoverishment and oblivion from the government, highlighting the closure of the local university as a symbol of a destructive policy.

He also brought to attention one of the government's unfulfilled promises, the one about the transformation of Osumi Island, saying that "the river took the promise of the island, while Edi Rama was left with only shame and deception."

Berisha stressed the historical and cultural importance of Berat, calling it a “diamond in the crown of world heritage” and said that on May 11, Albanians have the opportunity to break the era of narco-dictatorship and bring about change. He called on citizens to vote for the DP to end, in his opinion, a period of misrule and national destruction.

Excerpt from the speech of DP leader Sali Berisha in Berat:

Good evening and my warmest greetings! You, citizens of Berat, present in this square, to the residents of this district, to the residents of this region, wherever you are tonight in the region of Berat, in Albania, abroad.

My warmest greetings!

Dear Mr. Agron Duka, chairman of PAA, ally of the DP. Dear Mr. Enno Bozdo, political leader of the Berat district. Dear chairman of the DP of the district, Shyqyri Duro.

Dear MPs, candidates of the Democratic Party for the Berat region present at this meeting, and the lady who is conspicuous by her absence, Valbona Doko, who is currently working with immigration, please vote.

I express my pride with you today, that you are not only the pride of Berat, but you are the pride of Albania and Albanians for the future parliament.

Dear friends, the days are approaching a big date, a big event, a date that will divide the world, will divide the narco-dictatorship, will divide 12 years, in which Albanians left Berat, left their lands like never before in the entire history of hundreds and hundreds of years.

So, we are moving towards a major decision that every citizen of Berat, of this region and of all of Albania will make on May 11th to say goodbye to an evil that damaged the nation, emptied Albania, and reduced Albanians like no war, no epidemic, no disaster in their entire history.

Friends, today is a moment to bow with great respect to your fathers, grandfathers, and great-grandfathers, who here on the banks of the Osumi River built a magnificent masterpiece, such as your city. They placed Berat in the crown of the heritage of world civilization. The magnificent Berat is their immortal, eternal work.

The majestic Berat is a great inspiration for every Albanian, for every Berat resident, to do everything, to rise to the height of this greatness that we inherit in this city.

So, Berat, the diamond in the crown of world culture, has known abandonment, abandonment and only abandonment for these 12 years.

Berat, the diamond in the crown of world cultural heritage, has experienced an impoverishment of its inhabitants over the past 12 years, a very undeserved impoverishment, this city, this district.

Think for a moment, it seems like the city of forbidden times. The city did not recognize, not because it did not recognize investments, but even the university was closed. The university, which gave the city vitality, hope and faith.

Berat, who was promised the island of Osumi, lost the promise of the island to the river. Meanwhile, Edi Rama is left with shame and deception.