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"Berisha no longer aims for power, but for the leader of the DP", Gazmend Oketa: The latest absurd dismissals, Salianji must...
2026-04-04 18:01:57 / POLITIKË
Former Minister of Defense, Gazmend Oketa, has commented on recent developments within the Democratic Party and the role of the current leadership, during an interview on the show "This Week" on News24 . Focusing on the leadership of the Democratic Party of Albania, Oketa stated that expectations that Sali Berisha will lead differently from the past are wrong.
According to him, the historic leader of the DP finds it difficult to change his political style, also due to his age.
“It seems that he is no longer aiming for power, but for the position of the leader of the opposition DP,” Oketa said. He recalled that he had been critical of both Berisha’s expulsion by Lulzim Basha and his return to the party leadership. Oketa added that he had supported Basha’s departure after the election defeats, but not Berisha’s return. According to him, although Berisha remains a key figure in the DP, he does not have enough support to bring the party to power. “Political engagement should be seen as a generational relay and a new generation should be given a chance,” he stressed.
Oketa also criticized the way political parties in the country function, mentioning not only Berisha, but also Edi Rama and Ilir Meta, who he said use closed leadership mechanisms. He also commented on recent developments in the Democratic Party, describing some decisions as "absurd dismissals" and raising questions about the lack of positions by political leaders in important branches, such as the one in Durrës.
Speaking about Ervin Salianji's movement, Oketa said that he does not see anything negative in it, emphasizing that he is part of the DP and that the creation of factions was also foreseen in the party's Assembly. Finally, he emphasized that he is currently focused on his profession as an engineer, leaving active political engagement in the background.
"Expecting Mr. Berisha to lead the DP today, differently from what he led before, I believe that the first mistake is with you and not with the DP. Mr. Berisha is who he is. It is difficult, since he is heading towards the 80s. I believe that it is difficult for him to have a different style. What distinguishes him today, it seems that he no longer aims for power, but for the position of the leader of the DP in the opposition. I expressed my reservations at the moment when the movement began when Mr. Basha expelled him. I was in favor of Mr. Basha's departure after two lost elections. Just as I was in favor of Mr. Basha's departure and against Berisha's return. Berisha is the main shareholder of the DP, but he does not have enough shares to bring him to power. I see political engagement as a relay race of generations. Then comes the moment when you give a chance to a new generation. Mr. Basha was the one who was elected, who was Mr. Berisha's puppet.
It is indisputable that Mr. Berisha every time he runs, I believe he will be elected as the leader of the DP. What could make a difference, (With Salianji as a candidate, he would have a few more votes). This would also happen with Rama. A generation of politicians and not servile ones must be prepared. How the mechanism of Berisha, Rama and Meta works, I know, they function with a different mechanism. I see in recent days some absurd dismissals. I see the behavior not only of Mr. Berisha but also of those close to him. Have the political leaders of Durrës taken any political stance? No!”, he said. Oketa also stopped at Ervin Salianji's movement. “I am dedicated to my professional commitments. I love the profession of engineer and I do it with great desire. I do not see anything wrong with Salianji's movement. Salianji is also of the DP. Those who accuse him are those whose names are on the safe lists for DP deputies. In the DP Assembly it was declared that factions would be accepted. What was wrong with this faction of Salianji?! They have accepted into the coalition a party that has moved both to the left and to the right. (PL, formerly LSI). I do not know what calculations Mr. Salianji has in mind, but by competing and not bringing out Mr. Berisha with 100% of the votes, but 75%, he shows that he has weight in the DP and is not a factor to be ignored. He probably enters this race with the thought that he wants to win. This is what I think, it is simply my analysis. " , he claimed.
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