Four Albanian parties and activists from North Macedonia of the Vetëvendosje Movement signed on Saturday in Skopje a declaration of cooperation on the eve of the start of the election campaign.
The Alliance for Albanians of Arben Taravari's side, Besa Movement, Alternativa and Democratic Movement announced the coalition called “VLEN”, with which they will appear in the expected presidential and parliamentary elections.
These parties are also joined by activists from North Macedonia of the Vetëvendosje Movement. VLEN will compete with Arben Taravar for president of the country in the elections of April 24 and with joint lists for deputies in the elections of May 8.
The goal of this political entity is to topple the Democratic Union for Integration from power, while during the coalition talks they have not presented any clear offer for improving the conditions and lifestyle of Albanians in North Macedonia.
The Albanian opposition believes that today is the day when a 'new era' of Albanian politics begins in North Macedonia.
Arben Taravari said that the Albanian opposition parties are uniting for the first time since 2011, “since the Albanians voted for changes but have not been able to cooperate”, according to him.
“I hope that on May 8, the long-awaited changes will take place in the Albanian political bloc”, said the head of the Alliance for Albanians, Taravari.
Bilall Kasami of the Besa Movement estimates that this coalition is the largest union of Albanians in the Balkans, while emphasizing that it is not only corrupt and criminal oligarchs who join it; while adding: “The criminal and anti-Albanian policy is coming to an end”.
Izet Mejhiti of the Democratic Movement, a new party formed by politicians and individuals disaffected by DUI, called on everyone, “the young, the undecided, the desperate, activists and analysts to join the change that is comes”.
Afrim Gashi of Alternative said: “The time is for a new page, for a new narrative, for something that is VALUE and that leaves a mark.
VLEN's joint statement emphasizes cooperation with the EU and NATO, the fight against criminality and corruption and full equality between Macedonians and Albanians, as well as the development of a strategy for the return of citizens who have emigrated.
This opposition call is happening at a time when one of its factors, the Alliance for Albanians, is splitting. The wing of the former head of the ASH, Ziadin Sela, has called for Sunday the extraordinary Congress to dismiss Mr. Taravari from the function of the chairman of the party due to his joining with the Albanian opposition, while the party's plans were for it to compete alone in the election.
But Mr. Taravari's supporters acted quickly, urgently calling their Congress on Friday (February 16) where they dismissed Mr. Sela as the president of the ASH Central Assembly.
Both sides consider the actions of the respective opponents as illegitimate. Most likely, the judicial bodies will have to decide who will lead the Alliance for Albanians.