Court Ruling Further Complicates Albania Opposition Leadership Battle

After Albania's Court of Appeals failed to end to the main opposition Democratic Party's leadership battle, the rival two groups within the party on Monday both submitted their applications to the Central Elections Commission for the local elections on May 14.

On Friday, Tirana's Court of Appeals accepted official leader Enkelejd Alibeaj's request and ruled for a retrial in the longstanding case within the party against other group led by former leader Sali Berisha.

Berisha condemned the ruling, accusing Socialist Prime Minister Edi Rama of influencing it. "We will do everything for a big win in these elections," Berisha said on Sunday.

On Sunday, the Berisha group officially requested that the Democratic Party be registered for the May local elections, insisting that "Sali Berisha is the only person who can submit candidates for mayors and municipal council candidates in the name of Democratic Party".

On Monday, the Alibeaj group submitted exactly the same request, attaching a certification from the Tirana Court regarding the official party leadership.

Analyst and political journalist Lutfi Dervishi said that whatever happens, the opposition party is running only for second place. "Entering the election with two candidates means a battle for second place. And in the elections, there is no medal for the second place," Dervishi told BIRN.

Afrim Krasniqi, a political expert who heads the Institute for Political Studies think tank, said elections are not a test for the personal careers of politicians, or a competition between rival factions in a party.

"Elections are held to provide alternatives and solutions for the citizens and the country. Albania … is tired of corruption and scandals … while there is a weak...