DP approves the new statute/ Bardhi: Members will have more power in decision-making

The Democratic Party of Albania (Partia Demokratike e Shqipërisë) held its Assembly today, approving amendments to the party statute in principle, article by article, and in full, aiming to strengthen internal democracy and increase the role of membership in decision-making.

One of the provisions that remains unchanged is the so-called “Basha Article,” which requires the party leader to resign in case of an election defeat.

The new changes provide for the creation of a special commission for the review and filtering of candidates for MPs and mayors, before they enter the primary election process. According to the new rules, only candidates who pass this verification phase will be able to run in the primaries.

During the presentation of the statute, Gazment Bardhi emphasized that the changes aim to make the party more democratic and more open to its members.

“The statute guarantees democratic functioning and places power in the hands of the members, not narrow leadership structures. The DP is the only political force where the will of the member has real weight in decision-making,” Bardhi stated.

Another innovation is the increased representation of the diaspora, which will have up to 15% of seats in party governing bodies and candidate lists for elections.

The new statute also provides for strengthening the role of women and girls in the party, by increasing quotas and representation in leadership structures.

The changes also affect the party’s basic organization, aiming to strengthen the link between local branches and local representatives, in order to create a more functional, better-coordinated structure closer to members at all levels.

CHANGES IN THE STATUTE:

1. Strengthening the Albanian diaspora and its real political representation: 15% in lists and party bodies must be diaspora representatives.

2. Strengthening the role of women and girls in the party, increasing their representation from 30% to 40%.

3. Establishing a Candidate Selection Commission for MPs and mayors, as an autonomous structure from party leadership bodies, prior to the primary election process.

4. Improving the basic organization of the party (sections and sub-branches) and strengthening the Council of Section Chairpersons.

5. Strengthening relations between party branches and local elected officials (municipal councilors).

6. Recognition of equal status for all partner organizations of the party, respecting the founding history of the Democratic Party of Albania.

7. Protection of personal data of party members.

8. Clarification of rules for the dismissal of branch chairpersons, giving more guarantees for remaining in office.

"KORÇA BOOM"