Democrat MP Ferdinand Xhaferraj has repeated his request for Lulzim Basha’s resignation as chairman of the Democratic Party after the disaster of the March 6 mayoral by-election where the biggest opposition party ended as the third force, behind the Socialist Party and the House of Freedom coalition which includes Sali Berisha’s faction from the Democratic Party.

Xhaferraj wrote on his Facebook page that Basha lost and the party base and voters no longer want him.

“The other evening, during the meeting of the (Democrat) parliamentary group, I requested the resignation of Lulzim Basha from his post as the chairman of the Democratic Party”, Xhaferraj wrote.

“The alternative DP has offered under his leadership clearly was preferred neither from the party base nor the right wing voters or the grey electorate.

I refuse to accept that Lulzim Basha never lost a race. Also I refuse to accept that DP is divided between Basha and Berisha, and has no other options except them. The foundations of a real opposition – as Democrats and others deserve – are laid by getting out of the cult of the individual first.

The Democratic Party parliamentary group has the capacity and responsibility to produce new leadership and start the difficult but hopeful process of the rebirth of the party”.