By Roland Qafoku
After the humiliating defeat in the June 25 elections, the only heads which continue to be kept high are the ones of the 14 people that chairman Lulzim Basha elected in the leading structures in Parliament. Returning to Parliament after a period of six years, with Berisha, who has been in parliament for so long and with opponents inside the DP, scrutinizing every move that he makes, Lulzim Basha published the names that won during the formal voting taken place within the DP. In a way, this list shows who are the members of his close entourage and who are his loyal people. What’s more, this team will show how the Democratic Party will make opposition in the four years to come. These 14 names make us understand how they will attack the government in Parliament and how they will debate and clash with Prime Minister Rama. Will they boost support for DP to help this political force win the 2021 elections?
For these reasons, the only excitement within the DP during the hot month of August and the cool month of September had to do with the names that Basha would appoint as part of the parliament’s structures, which in fact are a sort of shadow cabinet of this party. But, in the current circumstances that the DP finds itself in, their shadow is very small. All 14 of them need to do a lot of work, they will require lots of honesty, passion, character and determination. A part of them do have these qualities, while a part of them don’t. But who are the 14 MPs who will run the parliamentary life? Their political profile shows a lot.
- EDI PALOKA - vice speaker of the Assembly
Being the first one on the list, his job is the most important one. His post as vice speaker of Parliament is a demotion from the post of chairman of the DP parliamentary group that he used to hold before. It could even be considered as a discharge. At this time, Paloka needs to analyze his work done in the past four years as chairman and ask himself a question: Why did Basha not elect him for a fresh term as head of the parliamentary group?
- EDMOND SPAHO, chairman of the DP’s parliamentary group
His problem as chairman of the parliamentary group in opposition is the peacefulness through which the DP will play its opposition role, with arguments, facts and evidence and not by showing its muscles, insulting and denigrating. Although his nature is such, will Spaho be able to resist the “hurricane” by the name Berisha? How will Spaho handle his parliamentary group when Berisha launches his numerous insults against Rama and his people?
- GRIDA DUMA, spokeswoman of the DP parliamentary group
Appointed as spokesperson of the DP’s parliamentary group, everyone is entitled to ask a question: Why was Grida Duma promoted to this post? Is it because she has lost every political battle and race? Based on this, Grida Duma needs to prove during these four years that she was not merely appointed as MP and spokesperson of the group.
- ERVIN SALIANJI, secretary of the DP parliamentary group
He’s one of the rarest politicians in Albania who has given so little and has taken so much. Can anyone mention any achievements made by Ervin Salianji in politics? In the recent years, he can only be remembered for lost races within and out of the DP and repeated mistakes while articulating himself. If he changes, he helps himself and he serves to the DP group. But if he continues to cultivate these qualities, Salianji will be the most successful and exclusive failure of the people that Lulzim Basha has promoted. His first failure was seen since the very first session when the whole public opinion learned Berisha’s criticism articulated during the meeting of the parliamentary group.
- ENKELED ALIBEAJ, vice chairman of the parliamentary group
He’s a perfect example of someone who knows how to rise although he has been defeated. He’s the model of a politician who can make a successful comeback even if he is not included in the lists. I think that in the four years to come, PM Edi Rama and the speaker of Parliament, Gramoz Ruci will see Enkeled Alibeaj as the no. 1 problem in terms of the way the DP will make opposition through facts and arguments.
- GENT STRAZIMIRI, vice chairman of the parliamentary group
Rough in his behavior, Gent Strazimiri doesn’t seem to have evolved with the time. His portrait with a gun in his belt at the Artificial Lake of Tirana, continues to be his only personal achievement, reminding us the model of Beqir Valteri in the 20’s.
- OERD BYLYKBASHU, vice chairman of the parliamentary group for reforms and ad hoc committees
A decent representative of the opposition in all parliamentary committees, Oerd Bylykbashi has now created the profile of a professional and a politician. Being a lawyer, he may be appointed Minister of Justice if the Democratic Party wins the elections.
- EDUARD HALIMI, vice chairman of the parliamentary law committee
The same thing can also be said about Eduard Halimi. One of the most technocrat politicians who have been very precious to the Democratic Party in power and opposition. He’s one of those political figures who could do something else if he’s not involved in politics. Eduard Halimi had all the opportunities to practice his profession outside politics, but he chose politics.
- GENC POLLO, chairman of the parliamentary committee for integration
His experience for the past three decades in politics makes him one of the most experienced politicians. Not many people know why Pollo continues to remain Lulzim Basha’s trusted man. But one thing is sure, he will invest all his potential as the head of the parliamentary integration committee in order to play an opposition role that will put the majority into difficulty
- BARDH SPAHIA, head of the parliamentary committee on healthcare
Bardha Spahiu is proud of his family name, but he must live up to it. He must show his values as doctor and politician by offering his real contribution in parliament and the committee that he’s expected to chair.
- ALBANA VOKSHI, head of the media parliamentary committee
Albana Vokshi is one of those politicians who has excelled in opposition more than in power. Her debates in the parliamentary committee on healthcare and parliament may be considered among the rarest female successes of the parliamentary life in the previous legislative session. But now, with the job of the chair of the media committee, she needs to work more in order to live up to expectations.
- JORIDA TABAKU, vice chair of the economy committee
I can certainly say without a doubt that even Edi Rama would want to have Jorida Tabaku as part of his parliamentary group. She knows a lot and speaks very little. She works a lot and is not conceited. Tabaku may be seen as the future minister of Finance or Economy of the DP.
- FLORION MIMA, chairman of the parliamentary committee for manufacturing activities
Vice chairman of the parliamentary committee for manufacturing activities, he may be a plausible candidate for the post of the minister of Finance once the DP comes in power. It is very hard to find flaws in the figure of Florion Mima and he is a very good model for the youth as to how a politician should be.
- FLAMUR NOKA, vice chairman of the parliamentary security committee
Considered Sali Berisha’s closest person, Noka put not only the committee in difficulty, but also the SP’s majority in the previous parliamentary mandate. Rama had to think hard who to appoint chairman of this committee, knowing that Flamur Noka would be there.
- TRITAN SHEHU, vice chairman of the parliamentary committee on foreign affairs
He has never abandoned the DP, never stepped on his principles and he has never abandoned anyone just because he wasn’t on the list. Shehu is the best model for the ones who are not elected MPs.
