Democratic Party MP Oerd Bylykbashi is one of the parliamentary group members that have taken former Chairman Sali Berisha’s side against the incumbent Lulzim Basha after the later decided to expel Berisha from the group. Basha also took away from Bylykbashi the assignment of the electoral reforms to assign it to former Minister of Justice Enkelejd Alibaj. Bylykbashi said he does not fear any retaliation from Basha.

“No one can oust me from the Democratic Party or from the parliamentary group, because a chairman has no competence to make such decisions. The only thing that decides is a ballot box”, Bylykbashi said, adding “we’ll be there, we are all in the Democratic Party”.

He does not worry he could be labeled as “anti-American” for taking Berisha’s side, who has been banned to enter the United States per a decision of US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken. He said the Democratic Party must demand transparency on Berisha’s ban, adding that an eventual departure of the former Prime Minister from the Democratic Party would have serious consequences, whereas any other person is replaceable.

“I believe the Democratic Party should ask for the transparency of the facts. It should defend Mr. Berisha as its politic heritage. If Mr. Berisha leaves (the party), it would be a serious consequence. All the others, from Lulzim Basha to myself and anyone like us, are replaceable”, Bylykbashi said.