Gahler after Berisha's indictments: Albania cannot move towards EU with crime-captive elections

The delegation of Albania's Democratic Party, led by Chairman Sali Berisha, held an important meeting with Euro-Deputet Michael Gahler, head of the European Parliament's Monitoring Mission for the May 11th parliamentary elections in Albania and co-ordinator of the EPP parliamentary group at the European Parliament Foreign Commission.

Berisha thanked Gahler for his continued commitment to developments in Albania and for the professional and objective direction of the EP observer mission at the May 11th 2025 electoral lighthouse. He stressed that the Eurodeput's commitment as Mr. Gahler for democracy, rule of law and electoral standards is essential for Albania's European future.

During the meeting, Mr. Berisha and Mr. Gahler shared deep concern over the alarming situation in which the May 11th parliamentary elections took place:
• All main opposition leaders, Mr. Berisha, Mr. Berisha. Meta and Mr. Mediu, faced political persecution and mounted prosecution during the election year, seriously damaging opposition parties and opposition in general;
• There was massive abuse of public resources, including bonus for pensioners for vote, pardoning fines for votes, employment for votes, legalisations, construction permits for votes and tenders for the Socialist Party's campaign's functioning vote;
• The patrol management system was reactivated and perfected as political police to exert pressure on public administration and citizens, controlling the voters' will and directly affecting the election outcome.

The discussion focused on serious concern about the involvement of criminal groups and drug cartels in the elections, where according to data documented by the opposition:
• 28 Socialist Party candidates have been supported by criminal groups in 10 districts of the country;
• These groups are co-ordinated by Ergis Agasi, appointed by Prime Minister Rama to co-operate with criminal networks that have taken control of the country's ports and railways, for drug trafficking and other illegal activities;
• Massive contracts in Tirana and other cities are being used to launder organised crime money, through individuals associated with criminal gangs, helped by construction permit director, Edi Rama's direct subordinate, appointed by the Elbasan gang, which is known for close ties with Minister Taulant Balla, and Edi Rama, mentioned even in international SKY/Encicchat surveillance.

Another important topic was manipulation of the diaspora vote, where the constitutional right of thousands of Albanians abroad has been stressed to vote freely. Mr. Berisha stressed the frightening size of manipulation of this vote by the Socialist Party's network of auspicesists and the total lack of transparency in its management and counting process.

Berisha underlined that the election outcome does not reflect the will of Albanian citizens, and that the opposition will continue its struggle for transparency and complete clarification of violations through the collection and documentation of thousands of evidence, which will be forwarded to EU institutions and international bodies.

He demanded Mr. Gahler and Europarliamen for securing free vote in Albania as the foundation of any democratic process and condition for the country's further performance on the path to European integration.

Gahler guaranteed that he will follow Albania's issue with goals and priorities on behalf of his mission, and that he will support any effort to meet Albania's democratic standards and membership criteria in the European Union.

Attending the meeting: DP Deputy Chairman Oerard Bylykbashi, LDG Speaker Albana Vokshi and Integration Commission Chairman Jorida Tabaku. /Periscopi/