Lulzim Basha Declines to Call for National Protest, Emphasizes Need for Alternative

Lulzim Basha, the leader of the Democratic Party of Albania, has declined to call for a national protest, stating that Albanians want an alternative rather than a show of force. In a press conference on April 25, 2024, Basha acknowledged that the Democratic Party has called protests in the past and will do so again, but he believes that protests are not a solution to the "infection of a part of the opposition".

Instead, Basha emphasized that Albanians are waiting for an alternative, and the Democratic Party must argue its position in connection with the problems facing Albanians. He criticized Prime Minister Edi Rama, accusing him of tailoring laws and decisions to order and stating that corruption is a major problem in the country.

During the press conference, Basha also discussed the DASH report, which highlighted several issues in Albania, particularly the problem of corruption. He stated, "Corruption is the biggest problem of the current government and the country, and it is being fed by increasingly sophisticated schemes." Basha called for a united effort to strengthen the fight against corruption, including supporting the Special Anti-Corruption Structure (SPAK) in its mission.

To further support SPAK, Basha announced that the Democratic Party will submit two amendments to the Parliament. The first amendment aims to help in the structural strengthening of SPAK, while the second one concerns changes to the code of criminal procedure to fill the legal vacuum in relation to foreign criminal decisions and the competences of GJKKO (the Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime) in recognizing foreign criminal decisions.

Why this matters: Basha's decision to prioritize offering an alternative to the current government over organizing protests highlights the Democratic Party's strategy to address the concerns of the Albanian people. The proposed amendments to support SPAK demonstrate the party's commitment to combating corruption, which remains a significant issue in Albania.

Basha appreciated the work of NGOs and foreign donors in the fight against corruption and reiterated the Democratic Party's commitment to submitting amendments to the Assembly to further support SPAK. While declining to call for a national protest, Basha emphasized the importance of presenting Albanians with a viable alternative to the current government and addressing the country's pressing issues, particularly corruption.

Key Takeaways

• Basha declines to call for national protest, wants to offer alternative
• Criticizes PM Rama for corruption, calls for united effort against it
• Announces 2 amendments to strengthen SPAK's fight against corruption
• Appreciates NGOs and donors in anti-corruption efforts, commits to amendments
• Prioritizes presenting Albanians with viable alternative to current govt