The leader of the opposition, Sali Berisha, after the meeting of the DP Presidency, during a statement to the media said that for the Municipality of Tirana and in the five other municipalities that will have early elections, there will be independent candidates.
During his speech, he said that the DP is ready to welcome every intellectual, expert and citizen who is willing to face the SP candidates.
Sali Berisha told reporters that by mid-week, they will have the name of the candidate for the Municipality of Tirana and the other five municipalities ready.
"We had a long, responsible, free discussion. What I consider to be an important step in our effort is that the DP, although it undoubtedly has candidates of caliber that cannot be compared to the criminal organization in power, will highly value and appreciate independent candidates. It will consider with the greatest seriousness independent candidates who are running as such and who consider the support of the DP necessary for their victory. I believe that other opposition forces are also in a wave with this from the previous discussions. And this is not only in the municipality of Tirana, but also in other municipalities.
This is a moment, I would think, for all those citizens, intellectuals, those specialists, experts who feel ready to face Edi Rama's drug state, to measure their strength in a competition in the best interest of the citizens to make the right decision. I think that the independent candidate is independent when he declares himself, or is he not. But even when proposed, nothing will be left out of consideration. Of course, we must be realistic.
In the history of electoral models, independents supported by political forces have recorded unexpected successes, let's say what it is. Today, right now, I can tell you that in a state of 18 million, in Rhine Westphalia, in Germany, all independent candidates, supported by political forces.
So, it's not this. The decision is an extremely important decision, it gives the Albanian opposition another dimension. Who did he present? Do you understand that any other person in that criminal organization could appear before Ogerta. Ogerta almost fainted when he found out, because he knows the burden of crime that is on his shoulders. Aren't these nights and days, isn't this darkness and light, the difference.
We say, we say citizens, we say to the country's personalities, the country's intellectuals, the experts, those who feel ready to face up to making the right decision and we remain open to them. This is not news, but major innovation, so let's never do what we say; now let's say, look at the pine tree trunk how big, now these branches don't leave us without seeing. This cannot happen" , said the opposition leader.
Earlier, before the start of the DP Presidency meeting, which was held behind closed doors, the opposition leader clarified that they will not boycott the early elections.
President Bajram decreed on Wednesday, November 9, 2025, as the date for holding partial mayoral elections for the municipalities of Tirana, Vlora, Berat, Mat, Tepelena and Cërrik, after receiving the notification of vacancies from the Council of Ministers on September 30, 2025.
The vacancies in the municipalities of Vlora, Berat, Mat, Tepelena and Cerrik were created due to the resignation of the mayors, while the vacancy in the Municipality of Tirana was created due to the dismissal of the mayor by the Council of Ministers, following the proposal by the Tirana Municipal Council, which, with the vote of the majority and minority councilors (50 votes in favor and only 1 against), requested that the way be opened for early elections for mayor in Tirana.