With the return to active politics, where it seems that the goal is to regain the post of the chairman of the Democratic Party, Lulzim Basha seems to be getting tougher day by day with the former prime minister Sali Berisha.
During a meeting in Shkodër with young people, Basha was asked why he returned to active politics after more than a year of absence. He said that his resignation came in an unusual situation for the DP and he did this action in order to have a reflection from Sali Berisha, who he calls the cause of the PD's split. Basha said that there was no reflection on Berisha's side and this is best proven by the loss on May 14.
"I didn't break away because I wanted to break away. I made the decision a year ago in a special situation. The situation was when an unfair war started within the family for personal interests but which was damaging. At the moment of this situation, what I have done is I have made the decision to withdraw so that this war does not continue and to give a chance to a reconciliation within our ranks, because our opponent would benefit. Those who lose were not only the democrats, but all Albanians, never live in a country without opposition. What happened? For a year, things have gotten worse, I had a glimmer of hope for reflection, that he would withdraw as well, but things got worse and worse. Here we are today, I have no regrets that I made that decision a year ago, because I think that one of the main obligations, the test is that when such moments come, they sacrifice themselves or those they lead. I made the decision at that moment not to serve the division of the Democrats, to ask for reflection, it didn't happen, things are worse, May 14 is proof. At the time of my withdrawal, I made it clear that I do not give up my responsibility for the citizens. The moment of May 14 shows that we had hoped, at this moment it would be unacceptable for me, it would be unforgivable if I did not keep the word that I have given to many friends of the DP that I will not run away from my responsibilities".said Basha.
The former leader of the Democratic Party stated that he was forced to take the decision to expel Berisha, which then led to the division within the Democratic Party. Basha stated that because of Berisha's Non Grata, he was forced to take this responsibility for him, as the latter refused to take it and refused to reflect. According to Basha, if he were to return to Berisha with the same language, it would not bring any benefit to the PD except for division.
“Më pyesin shpesh: Pse nuk i je përveshur siç të është përveshur. E para sepse, kush do përfitonte nga kjo. Dua t’iu heq çdo dilemë. Nuk kam heshtur se s’kam çfarë them për sulmet etj. Kam heshtur se kam qenë i vetëdijshëm që hidh baltë njëri dhe tjetri kjo do të thellonte ndarjet mes demokratëve. Koha dhe e vërteta janë të lidhura me njëra-tjetrën. Koha e ka nxjerrë të vërtetën për të. Se kam pasur fare të lehtë të hesht. Por e dyta, se me këtë kulturë politike kemi vite. Njerëzit janë të neveritur nga kjo gjuhë politike. Sulmet, shpifjet dhe denigrime që i kam dëgjuar nga Rama tani i dëgjoj nga goja e dikujt që e kam pasur për 9 vite krah. Papritur filloi të riciklonte të njëjtat kundër meje. Pse? Sepse më 9 shtator unë duhet të merrja një vendim të vështirë por të domosdoshëm. Ai vendim na kanë ndarë. Ky vendim bazohet nga një vendim kokëfortë. Kjo është sprova e lidershipit. Sepse lider mbetet lider edhe kur s’është më. Apo edhe nëse beson që ajo gjëja është e padrejtë. Ky vendim nuk u mor në emrin tuaj, në emër të demokratëve. Kjo na kanë ndarë pastaj pjesa tjetër është pasojë. T’i shkoja nga mbrapa fushatës së baltës këtë se bëj dhe nuk e kam bërë. Kjo është kultura e mbrapshtë, merren me njerëzit dhe jo çështjet.”- tha Basha.
I pyetur se çfarë do bëntë ndryshe në qëndrimin ndaj Sali Berishës, Basha tha se është penduar që i dha kohës Berishës që të reflektonte. Ish-kreu i demokratëve tha se duhej ta kishte larguar menjëherë nga grupi parlamentar i PD-së sapo u shpall non grata nga SHBA.
"I wouldn't have wasted so much time trying to convince him to make the right decision. I realized especially during this year, he has no intention of doing this. We set a standard, for Tom Doshin, Vangjush Dako, for other non grata, and in the case when it happened behind our backs, I did not rush to say the same standard, as I had to say. We sat down and I told him that this problem cannot take DP with him, and his reaction was that I will not take DP in this process, but he did the opposite and came to where we are, beyond the time frame. In September, the decision would be that, it was the right decision for the Democrats and DP, it cannot be DP if it loses the alliance with the West. He cannot come to power without an alliance with the USA, Great Britain. Personal interest cannot become an obstacle for all democrats and Albanians who want change".said Basha.