The debates continue in the meeting of the PD group/ Bardhi insists on the motion of 'Xibraka' and the mandate of Xhaçka, Shehu proposes to defend Berisha with a 'wild attitude'

During the meeting of the Parliamentary Group of the DP, which took place behind closed doors, there were discussions among the opposition legislators about their activity in the Parliament.

It is reported that the leader of the group, Bardhi, has revealed that the opposition will insist on the motion with debate tomorrow about drugs and Xibraka, as well as they will send the mandate of Olta Xhaçka to the Constitutional Court again.

He also instructed the deputies that they will discuss all the items on the agenda for which they will vote against, except for the agreement with the EU.

Regarding a concern of the MPs about the exclusion of Sali Berisha from the group by a decision of the Assembly, he stated that membership in the group according to the regulation is by self-declaration.

Bardhi added that the democrats should not fall into the trap of returning to the focus of the public debate on the group, while underlining that the leader of the party is Sali Berisha.

On the other hand, MP Tritan Shehu has requested that a fierce attitude be maintained by the Parliamentary Group to protect Sali Berisha and include him in the group, proposing to send letters to the internationals.

So, Bylykbashi has clarified what the regulation defines for this case, proposing to use this method. MPs Flamur Noka and Luan Baçi were of this opinion.

Excerpts from the discussions:

Gazment Bardhi: Let's move on to the issues on the agenda. We will insist on the motion with debate tomorrow about drugs and Xibraka. We will send Xhaçka's mandate to the Constitutional Court again. We will discuss all items on the agenda for which we will vote against, except for the agreement with the EU. For the issue which started as a discussion and I received many concerns from you in our chat group (Refers to the WhatsApp group where many MPs have expressed concern about the decision of the Assembly to leave Berisha out of the group and that there should be a battle to enter in the DP Parliamentary Group), I clarify that this is not a matter for the chairman of the group, because membership in the group according to the regulation is by self-declaration. I think we should not fall into the trap of going back to focusing public debate on the group.

Edi Rama's interest is to bring us back to the debate about the parliamentary group, that's why they played this in public for several days; once 35 members, once 38 members, today they had 42 members. We are the DP parliamentary group and the president of the DP is Sali Berisha. Now from this the whole absurdity of this is understood. We know very well who is included in the parliamentary group, since September 5, 2023, and we do not expect recognition from Edi Rama for this, I think. The group does not have a procedure for introducing deputies to the group, because this is by self-declaration in the Assembly, without the involvement of the group. For example, some time ago the colleague Merita Bakiu was included in the group, she declared herself and was included without the group being included in this matter. The exclusion of Mr. Berisha, at the beginning of this Legislature, was made by the Assembly with the interpretation that is not in the initial list that the Party brought, before the creation of the group. The problem is not with us. In any case, tell me what concern we have and how we address it.

Tritan Shehu: The Parliamentary Group must maintain a fierce attitude in order to protect Sali Berisha, to include him in the group, and we must even send letters to the international community, informing them about the political imprisonment of the leader of the opposition. We have to think of a procedure, get the self-declarations, do something.

Oerd Bylykbashi: The regulation clarifies how group membership is done (reads the article of the regulation). So self-declaration and list of CEC. I think we will use this, but we decide.

Flamur Noka: Yes, I think this can be done.

Luan Baçi: I also think like my colleagues. We are the majority of the group, analyze the regulation and do it.

Gazment Bardhi: I agree. Regarding the problem raised by Albana, I met the Speaker of the Assembly regarding this concern and asked her not to obstruct the functioning of the parliamentary investigative commissions (TIMS and concessions in health). The President of the Assembly has confirmed to me that there is no political decision of the SP to block the commissions and the misunderstandings that have been created must be resolved. If there are obstacles, the two presidents and the two vice presidents should sit down to determine the next step, and all the letters for information have been confirmed to me that none will be hindered, they will pass and there will be no obstacles.