Officialization of the 16 PD candidates for municipalities, Gazment Bardhi sheds light on the behind-the-scenes of the Presidency meeting: Some names have been withdrawn, but...

Gazment Bardhi has reacted after the formalization of 16 DP candidates at yesterday's meeting of the Presidency led by Enkelejd Alibeaj.

Bardhi states that his position has been that May 14 should not be a battle between the democrats, but that he will respect and implement the decision.

He emphasizes that he has agreed for some candidates who, according to evaluations, risk winning, for some municipalities he has not agreed to have candidates, not even in Tirana.

According to him, a certain number of candidacies were approved, but some names were withdrawn.

"I don't want to say who lost, but I want to clarify my position at the meeting of the party leadership. I respect and will implement the decision. My position has been that May 14 should not be a battle between Democrats.

Today PD has its own internal problem, it has split into 2 parts and risks turning a battle that we should have with the opponent into between us. I agreed for some candidates who, according to the evaluations, risk winning, for some municipalities I did not agree that we should have a candidate. I did not agree that there should be a candidate from the Democratic Party of Albania in Tirana.

This does not mean that I will not support the official candidacies of the DP. But of course I was that all the democrats together would have to fight against Erion Veliaj. I made the call that we, the responsible part of the DP, should not lead the democrats to a clash and battle between us. A certain number of candidacies have been approved. Some names have been withdrawn", declares Bardhi.