Shkodra was the only district where Ilir Meta's LSI, transformed into the Freedom Party, avoided a dramatic decline in the 2021 parliamentary elections. LSI reached the bottom in 11 out of 12 districts, while it failed to win any mandate in 9 districts of the country.
The dramatic defeat of LSI was also the main cause of the opposition's defeat in the elections of April 25, 2021, since on the other hand, the Democratic Party increased by 165 thousand votes compared to the result in the 2017 elections.
The electoral sustainability of Ilir Meta's party in Shkodër is attributed to the businessman and MP Agron Çela, considered one of the strengths of the LSI in this region, as was Nasip Naço in Berat, Lefter Koka in Durrës, etc.
But, in recent days, Agron Çela has also publicly declared his departure from the Freedom Party and the transition to the Socialist Party. "I am very correct, I closed a movement with the Freedom Party, I am looking at other paths. I have many offers from other parties", said Çela. Together with Çela, Edmond Ndou, who was the head of the branch of the Freedom Party in Shkodër, is approaching the SP. The large exodus from LSI is divided into three phases since its establishment in 2005 and until today after the name change to the Freedom Party.
The first phase of departures was marked in July-August 2009, when Ilir Meta collected 85,000 votes to oust Sali Berisha from power and then joined Berisha, governing together until 2013. The main founding figures such as Fatos Klosi , Sabit Brokaj, Pëllumb Xhufi, Ndre Legisi, Mustafa Muçi and Sokol Axhemi opposed the alliance with Berisha and left the LSI. Meta considered the departures as Edi Rama's diversion.
The second big 'exodus' in LSI was marked after the second alliance between Ilir Meta and Sali Berisha, at the beginning of 2018 until before the 2021 parliamentary elections. Nasip Naço, Lefter Koka, Gledion Rahovica, Alqi left Ilir Meta's party. Blako, Elez Gjoza, Hasan Halili, etc. The departure affected the decline of the LSI in the elections, especially in Durrës, Tirana and Berat. After the elections, Luan Rama also left LSI, who clashed with Petrit Vasili and Meta in Vlora.
From 2018 onwards, LSI has been abandoned by dozens of local representatives. In Tirana, Bora Panajoti, Genta Mezini and Naim Halili have left LSI, in Fier Natasha Yzeiraj and Thoma Tyto and Marsida Bega, in Blesh Besmira Xhaferri and Ramadan Elezi, in Gjirokastër Adrian Hyska, in Shkodër Elton Radovani, Sokol Jubica, Mirjan Bletaj and Roza Dedvukaj, in Devoll Albert Lilo, Perlat Xhaçi, Aldo Shpuza and Enver Manoku, in Durrës, Adriana Hatellari, Iris Gruda, Sanije Doda and Skënder Korriku, in Korçë Marilena Dervishi and Shkëlqim Larti, in Kurbin Drane Halilaj and Vlash Piroli, in Vlora Artimida Luci, in Kukës Zarie Visha etc.
In 2019, Ralf Gjoni, Ylli Shehu, Nimet Musai, etc. left LSI. Even these movements were considered by Ilir Meta and Monika Kryemadhi as cleansing of their party and Rama's shopping.
The third phase of departures from LSI started a few months before the local elections on May 14, 2023. Although he did not hide his nervousness, Ilir Meta tried to relativize the departure of Agron Çela and Edmond Ndout, stating that "I am not worried about the Renaissance markets" .
Political figures who left Ilir Meta's party:
Agron Cela
Rama plays
Nasip Naço
Lefter Head
Robert Bitri
Alqi Blako
Ralph John
Gledion Rehovica
Ergys Agasi
Emond Rushi
Edmond Ndou
Ylli Shehu
Shemsi Prençi
Edmond Haxhinasto (distanced)
Vangjel Tavo (distanced)
Fatos Klosi
Sabit Brokaj
Juffy Pigeon
Change Legisi
Sabit Brokaj
Mustafa Muçi
Sokol Axemi
The Priest shines
Pierin Xhuvani
Besjan Pesha
Spartak Braho
Elez Gjoza
Hasan Halil
Aurora Mara
Enver Roshi
Edlira Hyseni
Elda Hoti
Ediola Braho
Nimet Musai
Enada Kociraj
Bora Panajoti
Elton Radovan
Genta Mezini
Parid Jihani
Alexander Lipivani
Ali Karaj
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