INTERVIEW The PD chairman: “The President wants my dismissal” Sali Berisha Bujar Selimi 11:40 p.m. The PD news service announces the interruption of the National Council meeting after 20 minutes. The party chairman, Tritan Shehu, was just asking for the dismissal of the vice chairman, Sali Berisha, and the party vice chairwoman, Ermelinda Meksi. The other Democrats collectively asked for a 25-minute break before stepping in to ask how this initiative came about and who its instigator was. Selimi sits in the secretary’s seat. The members have invited Berisha to account to the Council. He does not respond. Shehu also remains silent. Then he leaves. TIRANE - After eight consecutive hours of closed-door meetings, the National Council of the Democratic Party ended last night with the expulsion from the highest governing forum of vice chairman Sali Berisha, while the party chairman, Tritan Shehu, resigned from his post. In a surprising development, after 11:20 p.m. the National Council decided to dismiss the three above-mentioned figures. The party will now be led by a temporary Steering Council headed by Bujar Selimi. The decision to dismiss Sali Berisha was taken after a request by the party chairman, Tritan Shehu, who, in addition to resigning from the leadership of the largest opposition force, also announced the removal of the immunity that Berisha receives through his status as party vice chairman. Sources from the meeting said that most members of the National Council were against such a decision, openly demanding that Shehu submit his resignation. The same sources specified that the initiator of the expulsion was the party chairman himself, who held a meeting with the parliamentary group before the start of the session. During the first ten minutes, the Council was engulfed in heated debates over Shehu’s request. After these debates, the meeting was interrupted for 20 minutes. The request for Berisha and Meksi to be expelled reportedly came after a meeting earlier in the day between President Rexhep Meidani and Tritan Shehu. PD sources said the chairman told those present that “the president wants me removed” and that “I cannot accept being a puppet.” As the meeting resumed after the interruption, Bujar Selimi took over the session and announced that he was ready to administer the vote. This prompted an immediate reaction from Berisha’s supporters, who considered the procedure illegal. Shouts, objections, and verbal clashes were reported in the hall, while some members called for the decision to be suspended until the chairman’s status was clarified. Despite the objections, the process continued and the majority present voted in favor of the dismissals and the formation of a temporary leadership. At the end of the meeting, groups of deputies and leading members remained at the blue headquarters, discussing the consequences of the decision. Berisha refused to make an immediate statement, while his supporters warned of a political reaction in the days ahead. Last night’s decision is expected to deepen the split within the Democratic Party and bring new developments in the opposition camp. 70 winning columns Sali Berisha; Bujar Selimi

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OSCE intervention Tensions and splits Counts the weight of the team’s stars TIRANE - Smena has become the focus of attention in the media trial over the opposition crisis. Yesterday’s interpretations spoke of strong international pressure and coordinated moves aimed at redefining the role of the key figures in the PD. Numerous public comments also mentioned the possibility of diplomatic interventions to avoid an escalation of the conflict. Analysts pointed out that relations between the factions now seem broken and that each camp is measuring its strength in view of the days ahead. The open debate over the legitimacy of the leadership structures is expected to be accompanied by new clashes also in parliament. In this climate, supporters of a negotiated solution say a compromise formula is needed, while the other side believes that the split has become inevitable. Last night’s developments have made this feeling even stronger. 70 winning columns

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