Sali Berisha, leader of the opposition, has blasted the Albanian government’s refusal to allow expatriates to vote using biometric documents from their host countries. Calling the decision “absurd,” Berisha claimed it stems from fear of a “punishment” by the diaspora in the upcoming May 11 elections.
“We agree to vote for everything, but never if biometric documents from the countries they live in are not allowed,” Berisha said, vowing the opposition would block any changes to the electoral code unless their demand is met.
In a fiery speech to delegates in Tirana, Berisha urged the diaspora to prepare for mass protests. He called for protests outside Albanian embassies across Europe and the world, accusing the government of attempting to block expatriates’ right to vote.
Berisha also warned George Soros to pull his Open Society Foundation from Albania before the elections, claiming that one of his first acts as president would be to shut it down.
He didn’t spare attacks on rivals in the ruling Socialist Party, accusing Tirana mayor Erion Veliaj of political failure and blaming him for a scandal involving a €150,000 bribe.
Berisha warned Prime Minister Edi Rama that he would soon release new evidence linking Rama’s brother to a controversial lab in Xibraka.
With the political battle heating up, Berisha promised that if the opposition takes power, the Democratic Party will prioritize economic recovery within the first 100 days.
