It seems that a rebellion is starting in the Democratic Party against leader Sali Berisha.
Democratic MP Besart Xhaferri declared that opposition leader Sali Berisha should step down from the leadership if he does not implement the causes he has promised.
According to Xhaferri, the rhetoric that the 2025 elections were stolen must be proven by Berisha, otherwise, he cannot lead the opposition.
"Berisha has not repeated the elections, the cause of his electoral farce must continue. If the elections are not repeated, Berisha must leave the leadership by 2026."
"If Berisha does not leave, I will continue my mission within the DP, but I will not wage war within the party. This, since the confrontation within the party has a kind of hierarchy, is not my turn," said the MP in an interview for Dekalog, on Dritare Tv.
“According to the statute, Mr. Berisha’s mandate ends in April 2026. There should also be elections within the DP in April 2026. If Berisha has not repeated the elections, he should leave,” declared the Democratic MP. He added that if Berisha does not keep his promise to repeat the May 11 elections, which the opposition claims were manipulated by the Socialist Party, then it is right for him to leave the party leadership.
Besart Xhaferri is known as one of Belind Këlliçi's close associates. The latter, although he was once presented as the political leader of Tirana for the elections in the capital's municipality, seems to have been displaced by the DP's leadership structures. His place has been taken by Ilir Alimehmeti, who is now seen as a key figure in Tirana. Even at today's meeting of candidate Florian Binaj, Këlliçi was absent, while Alimehmeti was present in his place.
Today's reaction by Besart Xhaferri, which was also distributed by Rilindja Demokratike — the official organ of the Democratic Party — is seen as the first sign of a possible "rebellion" within the ranks of the DP.