By Skënder Minxhozi
Now that Rama has left for the USA with the decree of the new government in his pocket, after settling all the issues and the problems of summer, the situation that he left behind in the opposition camp is everything but hopeful. The votes which leaked in favor of Gramoz Ruçi, the apathy and the lack of professionalism among young MPs, the lethargic style that Lulzim Basha is applying as leader of the party, the constant reaction of his opponents who demand changes within the DP–all of this really complicate the agenda of the democrats at the start of this parliamentary legislative session.
The three month holiday after the June elections, went by amid the terrible heat, the serious fires, gossips and jokes all over social networks. This period was a good period of reflection for the opposition. This party also had to use this period to elect the new chairman, draft the platform and prepare its strategy for the next four years. But none of this happened. What did we see instead of this list? Silence and denial of responsibility! We saw a formal reelection of Lulzim Basha as head of the party, phlegmatism in front of the omnipotent majority and a spectacular fall of support among voters and supporters. How else could Lulzim Basha’s action during the summer be reflected except apathy, improvisation and a total lack of orientation during this new political season?
The mockery and hilarity caused by the new democrat MP from Vlora among the majority was not only an act of arrogance by Edi Rama. It was, above all, proof that the standard of Basha’s New Republic lists has been lowered beyond the imaginable.
Today’s opposition is not only disorientated, unmotivated and has a bad leadership. Lulzim Basha has managed to alter the oldest DNA of the Democratic Party, which consisted on the ability to react in any circumstance. This ability was in line with the temper and character of its historical leader, Berisha. Through a spectacular shift from a party of massive rallies to a party of valium, the DP seems to have performed a full mutation cycle. Slowly but surely, it is heading all time low in terms of votes. This has turned this party into a party which is not worthy of being an opponent of the socialists and a pool of votes for political parties like the Socialist Movement for Integration. The conditions that were imposed over the electoral reform only strengthen our perception that we still do not know what Mr. Basha’s political line is. If the 18 May agreement “was killed by Rama”, as the leader of the opposition claims, what is his stance on integration, fight against corruption, judicial reform, on how to restore faith among right wing supporters, on issues concerning the allies and SMI, foreign policies, etc. Basha refuses to speak. His silence is turning into his trademark as political leader and this is truly a sad picture. The absence of the opposition leads to a bad government. Even Albanians cannot escape this axiom.
Berisha recently tried to throw a lifeline to Lulzim Basha when he said that he had “miserable advisors”. A poor and delayed attempt, which in all likelihood was also insincere. Can anyone believe the claim that the Democratic Party lost the 25 June elections as a result of some party official like Eno Bozdo?
Berisha’s ambiguous positioning in this big identity crisis, people and ideas, shows us that the crisis within the Democratic Party is destined to last, although Basha’s group of opponents continue their timid attempts to create a faction. The question is: how will they create such faction when the chairman has ousted them from the party’s forums?
In the eyes of the Albanian public, the crisis within the DP has left the shadow that the summer holidays offered. This crisis is now visible in that part of Parliament that this party occupies now. It still remains to be seen when and who will put an end to this political lethargy. Because, formally, this party decided to continue with the chairman that caused the electoral defeat.
Note: The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect Albanian Free Press’ editorial policy
