Former DP MP Ervin Salianji has published footage from a meeting with Democratic supporters in Dibër, where he was welcomed by party sympathizers the day before.

Through a reaction on social media, Salianji expressed gratitude for the reception and support of the Dibra democrats, while emphasizing that the demand for change is felt throughout the country.

"Gratitude to the democrats of Dibra. Change is required in every corner of Albania!", writes Salianji, accompanying the message with footage from the meeting.

Yesterday from Dibra, Salianji said that the Democratic Party cannot move forward by closing itself off and attacking international allies. "The race is in the squares, in the halls, the democrats are on their feet. The DP cannot be defeated, cannot be usurped and cannot go backwards", he declared. "I want to respond to those who say do you have figures who support you, the most voted in Tirana, Elbasan, Kukës, Durrës, Shkodra. The figures are those who select the democrats, not a leadership that has usurped the DP for personal interests", he said.

Salianji said that for five months he has been holding meetings throughout Albania with democrats and citizens, emphasizing that change in the DP is the only way to bring the party back to power. “The DP is still the only force that can bring change, but it must open up, change and return to its founding values,” the former MP said.

He also commented on the reaction of the European Union ambassadors after Berisha's statements towards the EU ambassador in Tirana, distancing himself from those positions.

"The DP should not be the tower where ambassadors are shot, as happened today when the EU reacted on its own. The stance was not that of the DP, but of a man who has usurped and is holding the Democratic Party hostage," said Salianji.

He further emphasized that Democrats should be the ones who elect the party's representative figures and not, according to him, a leadership focused on personal interests.

"You don't win by attacking everyone, but by uniting and building partnerships. Only by making this qualitative leap can the DP open up and win," declared Salianji from Peshkopia.

During his speech, Salianji stated that the DP must inspire citizens and restore the massive mobilization of the electorate.

"We must inspire change and bring over 800 voters to the ballot boxes. The DP must change," he said.

Salianji stated that the meetings throughout Albania aim to build a Democratic Party that, according to him, can mobilize a majority of citizens and restore the "moral superiority" with which the Democrats previously came to power.

"We see this today in this hall of Dibra, next time we will hold the meeting in the stadium," he declared, while thanking the democrats of Dibra, Durrës, Elbasan, Gjirokastra, Berat and Shkodra for their support.

The former MP warned that the movement he started will also extend to the capital.

"Tirana is waiting, we have not left it until the end. Those who hold branch elections in Tirana secretly, we will shake Tirana too," said Salianji.

He described this as an unprecedented move in the history of the Democratic Party, emphasizing that this is the first time the incumbent is being challenged with such support from the Democratic base.

"We have never seen in the history of the DP a sitting president challenged and have this support from the Democrats," he said.

In the end, Salianji declared that he and his supporters will not back down in the face of political pressure and attacks.

"We have not offended anyone, we did not want to cause division, but we have received insults, blackmail and lynching. I am saying this even from Dibra, they are neither scaring me nor blackmailing me. We are not backing down, they have stuck the saw in the nail with us," declared Salianji.

Salianji further harshened his tone towards the leader of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, while saying that the DP is at a critical moment and that the current leadership is no longer a solution for the party's return to power.

"The truth is simple, this party cannot continue like this. We cannot claim change for Albania when we cannot change ourselves," he declared.

According to him, the Democratic Party is facing a deep crisis of confidence, while citizens are dissatisfied with the government, but do not support the current leadership of the DP.

"Albanians are unhappy with the government and Edi Rama, but in the same polls they do not support the leadership of the DP. This is the truth that we must tell in order to heal it later," said Salianji.

The former Democratic MP openly declared that Sali Berisha cannot return the Democratic Party to power.

"Sali Berisha cannot bring the DP to power, not today, not tomorrow, not ever. Every day that he remains at the head of the DP is a personal victory for him, but a great loss for the DP, the opposition and Albania," he said.

Salianji accused Berisha of abusing the Democrats' loyalty and respect for his political history.

"He abuses the loyalty of Democrats and the respect people have for his age and history," Salianji declared.

He then raised questions about responsibility for the Democratic Party's successive losses over the years.

"How is it possible that the DP lost more deeply than the 1997 elections? Can this pass without accountability? No, no and no," he said.