The June 25 elections produced a clear result. The Socialist Party won 74 mandates, which enabled them to have a quiet prospect of ruling alone for the upcoming four years. Somewhat more complicated however is the situation for the opposition, which is currently split into two factions, the Democratic Party (PD) and the Socialist Movement for Integration (LSI). In addition to them, there are other opposition factions unrepresented in Parliament, namely LIBRA of Ben Blushi and SFIDA of Gjergj Bojaxhi. The other two parliamentary parties, PDIU and PSD, seem to be annexes of the currently run left-wing government rather than important political factors.
Meanwhile in the LSI, the internal conditions after the departure of its historic leader, Ilir Meta, to the Presidency, seem rather quiet. However, it remains to be seen how the LSI electorate will react to the impending massive expulsions from the public administration. Will the LSI protect the votes of its electorate, which was only on the rise during its stay in power, or will it shrink? This remains to be seen, as it appears to be the main leadership challenge of the new LSI Chairman, Monika Kryemadhi. In the other hand, it looks like the LSI has taken its new place in the opposition very seriously and it’s trying to stay on top of her game.
In the Democratic Party, the internal conditions, starting with the publications of the deputy lists, the re-election of its chairman, and the most recent meeting of Party Leadership, seem rather fractured and divided. In the Democratic Party there are at least two firmly established factions: the supporters of the re-elected chairman Lulzim Basha on the one hand, and his adversaries, represented by historic figureheads of the Albanian Right wing, such as Jozefina Topalli, Astrit Patozi, Majlinda Bregu, Arben Imami, etc. After being brushed aside and left out from the deputy lists, it appears they have no intention of accepting and bowing to the situation, but will continue in their struggle. In a televised interview, Patozi proposed to Basha the acceptance of the existing faction within the PD, a move which was categorically reject by the current chairman.
Regarding the relation between the two main opposition parties, where the PD safeguards its dominance, the situation is nonetheless very sterile. When asked about the opportunity for a coalition or some form of cooperation with the LSI, Basha expressed his openness for such cooperation with any party from the political spectrum that is in real opposition against the government. Regarding this declaration, he did not express clearly whether he was for or against a concrete cooperation with the LSI. Kryemadhi expressed herself similarly regarding a cooperation with the Democratic Party. Although principally the two main opposition parties agree on cooperation, nothing has been done concretely and the opposition continues to be fractured.
Its clear that the current situation, among opposition lines, serves none better than the government itself and its Prime Minister Edi Rama. Furthermore, the government is investing in a further escalation of this political situation, creating diversions along the opposition lines, saying that it does not recognize the “seasonal” opposition of LSI, and that the Democratic Party is the sole leader of the opposition. Nonetheless, the number of deputy seats currently held by the LSI is not to be underestimated. The government knows that for as long as the opposition continues to be divided, and while PD is more fractured than ever, it will continue to govern peacefully and win election after election. Does the opposition know how to react against this ruling majority, a majority which allows itself to behave arbitrarily and in uncompromising ways? I am modestly proposing a way which would help the opposition get out of the current situation and be effective against the ruling majority.
First I think that it behoves the Democratic Party and its leader, Lulzim Basha, to take a pro-active role as the leader of the opposition. He must call upon and meet his adversaries within PD, so that they don’t leave or create a new party. Obviously they want, as the ex-prime minister Berisha said, to safeguard their contribution within this political force. On the other hand, the unity of the whole spectrum of the political family, I believe, is in the interest of any party leader who wants to come to power. Basha must hear them out and try to find a compromise with his adversaries for the sake and best interests of the Democratic Party. This can be achieved through statutory changes, through intra-party elections, by creating the proper environment for the freedom of opinion etc. It’s sufficient to have the necessary willpower and it’s completely possible.
Secondly, Lulzim Basha must leave behind the complexes of the past and stretch out a hand of concrete cooperation with the other spectrum of political opposition. He needs to sit down with the chair of the LSI and look for possible options, to ensure in Albania for the next four years an efficient and strong opposition. This specifically interests me, as I believe the lack of proper and efficient opposition is a serious threat to the well-being of a democracy. Not to mention the fact that we’re dealing with a fragile and burdensome democracy, as is currently in place in Albania. But this cooperation is also in the interest of both respective opposition parties. First, because this creates a stronger numerical opposition in Parliament, altogether 62 deputies. Second, because if the cooperation includes local and municipal governments, the opposition has majority in almost all municipal councils. Third, in the local elections of 2019, a PD–LSI coalition will increase the odds of these parties winning in municipalities. Finally, this coalition would create hope for the supporters of the respective parties for a major victory in the parliamentary election of 2021.
For all these reasons, and for others that may follow as a result of a more detailed scrutiny of the situation among opposition parties, I believe it’s time that the Democratic Party, after having unified its own political family, must open the door of opportunities and cooperation for the sake of larger interests with the LSI. Further still, it must create sufficient opportunities even for those opposition parties unrepresented in Parliament. Only if it manages to do that, it can have the hope and future prospect of being a real alternative to the political power today, and to the future government tomorrow.
