Head of the Socialist Party parliamentary group Taulant Balla spoke to media reporters in a press conference today where he did something he had never done before: He defended the disgraced chairman of the Democratic Party Lulzim Basha. Balla said there are slanders against Basha, with the invention of a meeting between Basha and himself, also in the presence of Tirana’s Socialist Mayor Erion Veliaj. However, Balla did not deny the meeting, saying only it was a coincidence the three met.

Balla also appealed to the Albanian Special Structure against Corruption (SPAK) to investigate former Premier Sali Berisha. Balla’s appeal occurred in the same day when Basha, via Democratic Party illegitimate secretary Roland Bejko also appealed to SPAK to investigate Berisha.

It is clear there is a synchronized effort of Basha and Balla in the fight against Berisha, with the SPAK intervention requested.

Balla quoted Basha on Sali Berisha’s responsibility on January 21, 2011, when four protesters were killed outside the Prime Ministry, when Berisha was Prime Minister.

“Nearly 11 years have passed since January 21 (2011). There was a reaction from Basha, who (at the time) was Berisha’s associate. He clarified Berisha’s position”, Balla said, forgetting, however, that Lulzim Basha was the Minister of the Interior at the time.