Sali Berisha: Edi Rama is a wounded beast who will never recover, because Albania has a real opposition

Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha described Prime Minister Edi Rama as a “wounded beast” who, he said, will never recover.

Berisha attributed this to what he called the existence of a genuine opposition.

Speaking at a meeting of the party’s leadership, Berisha said the resolutions adopted would not have been possible without the opposition’s voice and the party’s resistance.

“All of this is both an inspiration and an obligation for us to continue our resistance with the greatest determination,” the Democratic leader said.

“All of this wouldn't have been possible without our voice and our resistance. It would not exist if we had accepted a merely symbolic role. This proves that we are the only hope for this country. It is both an inspiration and an obligation for us to continue our resistance with the utmost determination, to remain undefeated.

I have just come from a press conference, and I can tell you this: the beast has been wounded. Edi Rama is a wounded beast; he will never recover. And this is because Albania has a real opposition.

This would never have happened without a genuine opposition in Albania. Without it, discontent would still be expressed, that is the moral standard of Albanians, but wrongdoing would prevail. Hostage-taking would become the norm. Immunity would be treated as an Albanian-style interpretation rather than a constitutional obligation. Corruption would be their natural environment.

So I will stop here to stress the extraordinary importance our resistance and protests have had, and will continue to have.

This importance has been clearly recognised by the international community. You have seen how, within just three months, two of the most significant fact-finding missions to visit the country took place.

A mission from the European Parliament arrived, composed of members from across the political spectrum and led by the chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, a mission given maximum weight and importance.

They came, verified, and objectively identified the major problems in Albania that we have denounced, even though we represent a particular political camp. What matters is that these findings were embraced by the entire political spectrum of the European Parliament. This is a major achievement for us.

After sustained and serious work, the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee discussed the report today. Edi Rama is criticised in almost every paragraph of the report.

We have deep appreciation for this committee and for the fact-finding mission for the seriousness and objectivity they have shown.

Edi Rama is wounded; he will never recover. Albanians should understand this clearly. He survives only if we choose to forgive and spare him, and we will never do that.”