A number of Democratic Party MPs have requested the resignation of chairman Lulzim Basha after the catastrophic results in the mayoral by-elections of March 6. The mayoral elections in six municipalities of the country were important to see where the Democratic Party would stand after former chairman and historic leader Sali Berisha and his supporters separated from Basha following the latter’s decision to expel Berisha from the Democrat Parliamentary group. Berisha’s faction won the election in Shkodra – traditionally a Democrat stronghold in north Albania – within the coalition House of Freedom with former Democratic Party’s allies Socialist Movement for Integration (LSI) and the Christian Democrat Party (PDK). The House of Freedom ended behind winner Socialist Party in all the other five municipalities, including Durrës, the second largest city in Albania, whereas Basha’s Democratic Party ended third in all six. The defeat caused strong arguments within the Democratic Party parliamentary group on Monday and the MPs requested Basha’s resignation and new elections in the party. Meanwhile, deputy chairman Agron Gjekmarkaj has already stepped down from his post.

Basha told media reporters on Monday he has never lost a race in his life, which was considered as an insult to the Democrats by MPs Ferdinand Xhaferraj and Dash Sula.

Shkodra MP Helidon Bushati addressed to Basha saying “we need to be above our egos, you destroyed the Democratic Party. You must go. A reconciliation Congress is necessary. Let us unite. We need a Congress of reconciliation of the two factions for the general good”.