PD leader Lulzim Basha talked with reporters this evening after the PD parliamentary group meeting. Basha clarified the issues discussed with the EPP representatives last Tuesday. He said:
I was presented with a three-point document, which included the postponement of the election on July 16, the replacement of four technical ministers and a mixed package for the election of President by consensus, and the position of Head of Central Electoral Committee to pass to PD.
The offer for 4 technical ministers appointed by Rama with our approval was not accepted, after he bought opposition deputies from the opposition and Social Movement for Integration, as it would turn the 4 technical ministers in people who respond to him. Our proposal was on a government where Rama is not Prime Minister. […]
During the video conference with EPP President Joseph Daul I offered everything that I can do as a person in order to reach an agreement. This is our unequivocal attitude. We are ready to offer everything we can, including myself personally, for the free vote of Albanians.
He stressed that the position of the PD is clear – “We ask Edi Rama’s resignation. His departure to open the way to the technical government suffices as a guarantee. Edi Rama refuses to resign. He keeps a whole nation as hostage.”
We take full responsibility to get Albania out of this political crisis through dialogue, if it will ever come. For us this is the solution. Until now we see no other way. For us the solution is the technical government with a clear popular mandate.
He also made public the decision of the PD parliamentary group, which is “to support the opposition’s stance for free and democratic elections.”
For today’s meeting between Basha, Prime Minister Edi Rama, and President Bujar Nishani, the PD leader said that the opposition’s offer is only free and fair elections.
