The US Embassy in Tirana has considered the resignation of the chairman of the Democratic Party (DP), Lulzim Basha a sign of true leadership expressing the hope that the decision will determine the way for the DP to move forward towards the future.
“The decision taken by Lulzim Basha today to resign as Chairman of the Democratic Party deserves respect. Putting the interests of the party and the country above personal ones is a sign of true leadership,” said the statement of the Embassy released on Facebook on Monday.Basha has been supported by US Ambassador Yuri Kim especially after the former veteran leader of DP Sali Berisha was designated persona non grata by the State Secretary Blinken. Kim has pledged that the Embassy would not keep any relationship with DP under its eventual leadership by Berisha.The Embassy’s statement said, “We hope the decision will pave the way for the Democratic Party to move forward; it will strengthen Albania’s special relationship with the United States; it will strengthen support for reforms and other efforts for Albania’s cause to join the European Union; and to reaffirm the democratic principles and ideals on which it was founded.”Berisha was the protege of the US after the fall of communism in Albania and the State Department picked him up as the first president of post communist Albania in 1990s.
“A strong opposition that can be ready to lead is essential to democracy. The United States’ support for democracy and its commitment to fighting corruption and impunity remain unchanged,” the statement concluded. /Argumentum.al
