Race for new DP leader
04/07/2013 19:50
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Besnik Mustafaj, a former member of the Democratic Party leadership and
member of its National Council, has commented the race for electing the
party’s new leader in an exclusive interview for Top Channel.
Ilir Paço: Mr.Berisha and the leadership of the Democratic Party declared that July 2nd is the day when the Democratic Party will elect its new leader. You have been critical about the lack of democracy within the Democratic Party. How do you see this process now?
Besnik Mustafaj: This is an important event for the Democratic Party after the deep loss in the elections. It is also the first time that elections are held and the entire Democratic Party membership will participate, and this is also very important.
Ilir Paço: Do you think that we really have a race?
Besnik Mustafaj: It will be difficult to consider it a race, because the candidates came out of a selective process. They could have accepted Biberaj or other members, but it didn’t happen. There are reduced options and this doesn’t make it a race. Both candidates are unable to hold any campaign, because there is not enough time. However, our country now needs a structured and serious opposition as soon as possible.
Ilir Paço: Mr.Berisha declared that the process is more important and that he doesn’t support any of the candidates. While there are opinions that Mr.Basha has been closer to Mr.Berisha, and strongly launched in politics by him, even in the last campaign.
Besnik Mustafaj: I don’t comment on gossip. I can only say that both candidates are personalities of this party, with their advantages and disadvantages. Olldashi has been involved in the party structures since 2000. He has been a minister and he knows the party very well. Basha was able to receive a lot of votes in Tirana, and has the necessary popularity.
Ilir Paço: Do you think that the next leader, whoever he might be, with suffer from the shadow of Mr.Berisha and will be unable to take independent decisions?
Besnik Mustafaj: Both of them are competing with Berisha’s permission. Political history has shown that there are leaders who right after taking power, they put some limits to their predecessors. But there are others that cannot liberate themselves from the shadow of the “father”. I don’t want to prejudge anyone.
Top Channel
