Former Albanian PM Berisha says Edi Rama wanted Ilir Meta President so he could steal his party the LSI

Tirana, Albania | Tirana Echo – Former Albanian Prime Minister and founder of opposition democratic party Sali Berisha says current socialist PM Edi Rama pushed Ilir Meta to become President so he could get his hands on his rapidly growing party, the Socialist Movement for Integration (LSI).

During an interview for News 24, Berisha said the President of the Republic was elected during a moment of deepening crisis and although the opposition did not have any claims over the top state position, a better process of elections was needed for the country.

“I believe there has been an old agreement between the two governing allies that the President belonged to the LSI. Although I admit the majority had enough votes to elect a president, this should have been offered as a process of negotiation and dialogue, as a step forward in the political crisis.” said Berisha.

The former PM who resigned from th democratic party leadership after losing elections in 2013, is still seen as the man behind the scene in the current opposition boycott of parliament and upcoming general elections in June. Berisha signaled his former ally Ilir Meta’s election as President, would only deepen the political crisis in the small Balkan country.

Berisha pointed out that Edi Rama did everything in his power to eliminate Ilir Meta politically during the entire governing mandate of the center-left coalition, with the only purpose of weakening his party the LSI.

“As Rama failed in his attempt, Meta used every opportunity to pay him back by attacking his ally on every major issue of this majority, justice reform, political crisis, etc. Rama thinks that by sending Meta to the Presidential palace he would be able to grab his party. However, let’s see what happens, as time is ahead of us.” – said Berisha who is known for his cunning ways of hinting political messages.

Albania is planing to have general elections on the 18th of June while the opposition democrats have said they would boycott the country and block the vote. A by-election planned for tomorrow in the city of Kavaja was suddenly cancelled by the Prime Minister, amid fears of opposition groups seeking to destabilize the area and block the voting centers. The move will serve as a prelude of what is to come in June.

The European Union and the USA have warned that any attempt to stir up violence would be condemned while elections will be acknowledged with or without the opposition’s participation.