After Sokol Olldashi, Lulzim Balla did not disappoint the public
expectancies and declared his candidacy for leading the Democratic
Party, from the same place where Albanian Prime Minister, Sali Berisha,
announced his resignation one week ago.
Basha had included this detail in the first paragraph of his speech, which was different from that of his rival, Sokol Olldashi, not only for its length but also for its content. The only common thing between the two rivals was the way how they declared their candidacy.
“After a long reflection, after receiving thousands of members and militants of the Democratic Party, and after discussing it with the Albanian Prime Minister, Sali Berisha, I am here today to communicate one of the most difficult and most clear decisions in my life. The decision to run for the Democratic Party leadership”, Basha declared.
The rest of Basha’s speech was different from that of Sokol Olldashi. If Olldashi emphasized his past as a member of the Democratic Party since its creation, Lulzim Basha’s cause was the New Beginning, taken by Sali Berisha when he took all the responsibility for the loss, before resigning.
“No one can replace Sali Berisha. He is our hsitoric leader and an inexhaustible source of force, energy and pride for every Democratic Party member. He is more than a symbol, he is the conscience of the Democratic Party. But the mission of freedom and the mission for a developed and European Albania should not end for a single moment. Today, aware of our priceless heritage, and fully convinced for the values of today, I invite you to walk together towards the project of our future, towards the New Beginning, towards the project of victory and recovery”, Basha declared.
Lulzim Basha joined the Democratic Party in 2006 and he has never experienced his party as a political force in opposition. But he told the Democrats that he will build the opposition by hearing the voice of every Democratic Party member, of every member of the past opposition, and especially the current leadership, to whom he sent a message of reunification.
“Our project of the New Beginning, the Democratic Party needs your support, the support of its members and its dedicated militants. Great men and women who have contributed and sacrificed. Modest but silent in their requests and benefits. We will need the support of the priceless experience of dozens of Democratic Party leaders. We will need the support of the historic leadership of Sali Berisha, which is a priceless asset of the Democratic Party and our New Beginning project”, Basha emphasized.
Basha promised to untie the right wing in opposition with the government, and guaranteed that the new opposition will cooperate for the reforms of the European integration in our country. Another point that he considers as very strong, is the access in western chancelleries.
“I will work hard so that the Democratic Party, its Parliamentary Group and all its human potential can be engaged in a strong opposition that guards the public interest without compromise. We will guard with determination and without comopromises the rule of law, the public administration institutions and our voice should and will be heard with facts and arguments in every chancellery of the European Union, the member countries and in every office of our friends and partners in Washington. I am sure that the support of our friends will be there, not only during our time in opposition, but also when we will return as a majority”, Basha added.
Coincidentally, Basha is entering the race for the Democratic Party leadership in same conditions with Edi Rama, when he took the reins of the Socialist Party. Rama was Mayor of Tirana and was accused by the Democrats of abandoning the citizens of Tirana. But today, Basha will have to face this same reality.
“Only two years ago, united and with the contribution of everyone, we won the battle for Tirana. I want to guarantee the citizens of Tirana that my dedication for fulfilling every obligation will always be there”, Basha declared.
Lulzim Basha had a strong message for the Democratic Party, who, according to him, should use this race to be more united, and not the contrary.
“Everyone who sees this race as an opportunity to divide us, should calculate my strong opposition. There’s no room for negativism in this race, because the biggest goal of this race is to bring the Democratic Party up to its feet again, and prepare it for future victories. May God help us, Albania and every Albanian, wherever they are”, Basha concluded his speech.
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