Former Democratic Party MP Ervin Salianji has launched a scathing attack on opposition leader Sali Berisha, alleging that the recent boycott of Albania's Parliament was imposed against the wishes of many Democratic Party lawmakers.
In a public statement, Salianji claimed that members of the Democratic Party's parliamentary group wanted to confront Prime Minister Edi Rama inside Parliament, but were prevented from attending by Berisha. According to Salianji, the explanation that deputies stayed away because of protesters throwing eggs was merely a pretext.
"If there had been a genuine will to oppose the government, Democratic Party MPs would have been in the parliamentary chamber confronting Edi Rama," Salianji said. He argued that Berisha's real concern is growing public pressure demanding his resignation, claiming the opposition leader has become "the political crutch that keeps Edi Rama in power."
Salianji further alleged that Berisha is negotiating new political agreements with Rama while facing increasing demands from citizens to step aside.
The former MP also accused Berisha of striking what he described as "two major summer bargains" with the ruling Socialist Party, centered on Albania's electoral reform and territorial reform.
Regarding electoral reform, Salianji claimed Berisha has failed to present any serious proposals to amend Albania's Electoral Code. He criticized the Democratic Party leader for not advocating fully open electoral lists, a nationwide proportional electoral system, or stronger voter power to directly elect members of Parliament. He also accused Berisha of ignoring proposals put forward by the Opposition Dialogue Forum.
On territorial reform, Salianji argued that, with only days remaining before the parliamentary commission's deadline, Berisha had not offered any alternative plan for reorganizing Albania's administrative divisions. He alleged that the reform is effectively being left in the hands of the government without meaningful debate or an alternative vision from the opposition.
According to Salianji, an opposition that abandons political confrontation with the government in favor of negotiating key reforms can no longer be considered a genuine opposition force.
"The boycott of Parliament is not an act of resistance against Edi Rama," Salianji concluded. "It is simply another cover for political deals being made away from the eyes of Albanian citizens."