Sali Berisha made his first public appearance in almost a year on Monday, addressing supporters at the Democratic Party’s headquarters after spending 11 months under house arrest. The former prime minister described his return as a significant moment for Albania’s democracy, framing it as a personal victory and a win for the country’s constitutional order.
Standing before a crowd of enthusiastic supporters, Berisha thanked Judge Flojera Davidhi for what he called a fair decision, lifting his house arrest. “Today, the law has prevailed, and Albania has taken its first steps towards a return to real democracy,” Berisha told the crowd, calling the moment a victory not just for him but for the country as a whole.
In his speech, Berisha called for a caretaker government to be formed immediately, claiming it was the only way to calm the political storm. He accused Prime Minister Edi Rama’s government of attempting to silence the opposition and blamed them for what he called a “coup.” “They tried to destroy us, but they failed. The last 330 days have not been wasted,” he said, referring to his time under house arrest.
The tensions between Berisha’s opposition and Rama’s government have been mounting for months, with Berisha accusing the ruling Socialists of abusing their power. While the Socialists deny these accusations, the opposition remains convinced that the Albanian government is undermining the country’s democratic foundations.
Berisha didn’t hold back in his criticism, going so far as to blame Rama and billionaire George Soros for trying to dismantle the opposition. He said their efforts had failed, and he vowed to keep pushing forward. “This year, I’ve given 330 speeches. Now it’s time for action. From now on, action will be the focus of my leadership,” he said.
