Two international news agencies, the Washington Post and the Associated Press , have published an article on the return of Sali Berisha to the helm of the Democratic Party, through elections held by the Re-establishment Commission on May 22nd.
The article reflects the entire situation of the Democratic Party, from Basha's decision to oust Berisha, the rift, the January 8 clash, Basha's resignation, to Berisha's victory with 93.45% of the vote. A brief history of Berisha is also given.
The article states that despite the support from the grassroots, Berisha is supported by a small number of MPs. The article closes by reporting that "Washington has made it clear that it will not cooperate with the Democratic Party of Albania if it is led by Berisha.
Full article:
The former leader of Albania regains the main post in the divided party
Albania's main center-right opposition Democratic Party said Monday that controversial former president and prime minister Sali Berisha has been re-elected as its leader, nine years after he last held the post and is vowing to bring the ruling party back.
Berisha, 77, won 93.45% of the party's membership votes Sunday to become leader again and said he would "save Albania from a regime it does not deserve". However, his support from members was not repeated among party lawmakers, where he received the support of only a minority.
Berisha's rival, Ibsen Elezi, had demanded the postponement of the vote, alleging irregularities.
The main post of Democrats has remained vacant since March, when Lulzim Basha resigned after divisive squabbles after ousting Berisha from the parliamentary group.
Basha acted after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken last year appointed Berisha and members of his immediate family persona non grata for "corrupt acts that undermined democracy in Albania" during his term as prime minister 2005-2013 .
Veprimet e Bashës ndezën një luftë të brendshme partiake, ku Berisha krijoi një grup që kërkonte të largonte Bashën nga posti i tij, duke e akuzuar atë si "peng" të kryeministrit Edi Rama të Partisë Socialiste të krahut të majtë.
Në janar, mbështetësit e Partisë Demokratike u përleshën me njëri-tjetrin ndërsa u përpoqën të sulmonin selinë e partisë së tyre.
Berisha ishte president i vendit nga viti 1992 deri sa dha dorëheqjen në 1997 pas një proteste antiqeveritare mbarëkombëtare pasi shumë njerëz humbën kursimet e tyre në skemat e dështuara të investimeve piramidale të mbështetura nga qeveria e Berishës.
Ai u kthye në pushtet në 2005 dhe kandidoi si kryeministër derisa humbi në zgjedhjet parlamentare në 2013.
Since being appointed by Washington, he has vigorously re-entered the country's politics with the support of his old supporters, regardless of his age.
Washington has made it clear that it will not cooperate with the Democratic Party of Albania if it is led by Berisha. There has been no reaction from the US Embassy so far.

