Independent Democrats vs. Berisha’s 'Democrats'

The DP's open candidate lists revealed how Sali Berisha has essentially hijacked the party. The top two most-voted candidates were Jorida Tabaku and Ilir Alimehmeti. Tabaku is a well-established political figure, while Alimehmeti, a newcomer, entered the DP in recent years from the healthcare sector.

This result clearly shows that if the DP were allowed to vote freely, the public would elect figures they support, rather than those chosen by Berisha. Imagine Jorida Tabaku running in an open list against Albana Vokshi, Flamur Noka, or Klevis Balliu. What would the outcome be?

To avoid such a confrontation, Berisha protected these figures by placing them on the safe list. If they had truly competed, they would have been rejected by the Democrats.

The way Albanian Democrats voted also exposed the falsehood of Berisha’s primaries. The candidates he wanted to promote were placed on the safe list, while those who actually won the votes were left on the open list. This shows that Berisha was well aware that some of his preferred candidates would receive no support outside his personal circle, and running them on the open list would have discredited him.

Meanwhile, the success of Tabaku and Alimehmeti in Tirana highlights the kind of candidates the electorate desires. They stand in stark contrast to Berisha’s loyalists, whom he wants to see in parliament. Tabaku gained support through her political battles in parliament and her efficient opposition to the government. Alimehmeti, on the other hand, represents a fresh, civil political type, untainted by Berishist stereotypes.

Other candidates who performed well, like Myslym Murrizi, though not likely to secure a seat, showed strong political quality by openly criticizing Berisha and his loyalists.

The voting also shows a shift among the DP’s youth forum, with candidates like Grigels Mucollari gaining support. Additionally, local votes for figures like Dogjani and financial backing for the daughter of a businessman highlight Berisha's diminished influence over this vote.

Even more embarrassing was the placement of two Freedom Party candidates on the safe list, while Ilir Meta ran in the open list. Meta, with only 6,000 votes, secured two seats for his candidates, showing that Berisha’s influence, not the people’s vote, decides who enters parliament.

Ultimately, the results in Tirana demonstrate that DP voters, when given the freedom to choose, think and vote differently from what Sali Berisha dictates. This proves that Berisha's main adversary is the independent vote—even within his own party.

The article initially appeared in Albanian titled: "Demokratët e lirë dhe “demokratët” e Berishës"