Sali Berisha has publicly ruled out the possibility of the Democratic Party boycotting Parliament, describing it as a step that, in his view, would give Edi Rama a political advantage. The statement was made during a meeting of the PD leadership, at a time when the opposition is articulating a line of stronger confrontation with the government.
Boycott not seen as a path by the PD
According to Berisha’s remarks at the meeting of the PD’s governing forum, the decision to leave Parliament would be “the easiest” one, but not necessarily the most effective for the opposition.
He argued that a boycott of Parliament would create space in the prime minister’s favor, thereby ruling out one of the scenarios that has also been used before in Albania’s political crisis.
Call for mobilization against the government
At the same meeting, Berisha called for broader political engagement from Democrats and their supporters, urging them to “rise to their feet” and confront the government through democratic means.
His rhetoric toward Edi Rama and the government was harsh, presenting the political clash as a battle to remove the prime minister from power.
Pressure from inside Parliament, not outside it
Berisha indicated that the PD’s political response will be sought within the institutions, at least at this stage, and not through emptying the parliamentary chamber.
He said the PD parliamentary group would adapt in order to deliver what he called the “deserved response,” while acknowledging that the opposition is in difficult conditions in Parliament.
A political signal on the opposition’s strategy
The position announced by Berisha sends a clear signal about the course the opposition is trying to pursue: stronger political confrontation, but without giving up its presence in Parliament.
It remains to be seen how this line will translate into concrete parliamentary action, whether there will be political obstruction, procedural action, or other forms of pressure within the institutions.
For now, the political message emerging from the PD leadership is that a boycott is not considered a solution. Instead, Democratic leaders are articulating a strategy of confrontation aimed at political pressure on the majority without leaving it free rein in Parliament.