Lulzim Basha
Lulzim Basha | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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![]() Basha in 2016 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Leader of the Opposition | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In office 30 July 2023 – 11 June 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
President | Bajram Begaj | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Prime Minister | Edi Rama | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Preceded by | Enkelejd Alibeaj | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Succeeded by | Sali Berisha | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In office 15 September 2013 – 21 March 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
President | Bujar Nishani Ilir Meta | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Prime Minister | Edi Rama | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Preceded by | Edi Rama | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Succeeded by | Enkelejd Alibeaj | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Leader of theDemocratic Party | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In office 30 July 2023 – 11 June 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Preceded by | Enkelejd Alibeaj | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Succeeded by | Sali Berisha | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In office 22 July 2013 – 21 March 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Preceded by | Sali Berisha | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Succeeded by | Enkelejd Alibeaj | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Personal details | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Born | Tirana | 12 June 1974||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Political party | Democratic Party | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Spouse | Aurela Basha | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Children | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Alma mater | Utrecht University(LLB) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Occupation |
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Signature | ![]() | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lulzim Basha(Democratic Party of Albaniaand as theLeader of the Oppositionfrom 2013 to 2022 and again from 2023 until 2024.
;born 12 June 1974) is an Albanian lawyer and former politician who served as chairman of theHe was the candidate of theDemocratic Partyin the2017 Albanian parliamentary electionand in the2021 Albanian parliamentary electionwhere he lost in both by the incumbent prime ministerEdi Rama.
Early life and education
[edit]Lulzim Basha was born inTiranaon 12 June 1974 to a Kosovo-Albanian mother and an Albanian father. From his mother's side, he is respectively fromMitrovica(grandfather) andGjilan(grandmother).[1]After attending the Sami Frashëri High School, he studied law atUtrecht Universityin theNetherlandsand worked for theInternational Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslaviaas member of the investigation team ofwar crimesof Serbian forces in Kosovo (1998–1999).[2]
In 2000, Basha joined the Department of Justice of the UN administration ofKosovo,[a]UNMIK,first as legal advisor and then as deputy chief of cabinet of the director of the UNMIK Justice Department since October 2001.[3]From November 2002 until January 2005 Basha served as special advisor for transition in the same department.
Lulzim Basha is married to Aurela Basha a Dutch citizen, and they have two daughters, Victoria and Dafina.
Political career
[edit]Basha joined theDemocratic Party of Albaniain January 2005 and became a member of the party's leadership in May of that year. He has since held several ministerial positions in Democratic Party-led governments.
Berisha Cabinet (2005–2011)
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/df/2008_01_29_albania_600Basha-Rice.jpg/180px-2008_01_29_albania_600Basha-Rice.jpg)
He served as the party's spokesperson during the2005 parliamentary electionsat which he was elected as the MP of Constituency #33 in Tirana.[citation needed]He was then nominated in the Berisha government as Minister of Public Works, Transport and Telecommunications, where he served for two years.
After the2009 election,Basha was nominated asMinistry of Internal Affairsin the new Berisha government. As Minister of Interior, he implemented all the required criteria for visa-free travel to the Schengen countries, including the modernisation of the Albanian border and immigration police system, the issuing of high security biometric passports and a tougher fight against criminal activity and criminal assets. These steps won international praise, notably byEUROPOLand other law enforcement bodies,[4]and led to the decision of the EU on 8 November 2010 to lift all travel visa requirements for Albanian citizens effective 15 December 2010.[5]
Mayor of Tirana (2011–2015)
[edit]In 2011 Basha was the governing party's candidate for the post of mayor of Tirana. He defeated the leader of the Socialist opposition,Edi Rama,by a very narrow margin (only 81 votes after the recount) in ahotly contested election.
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/08/Tirana_Night_View.jpg/220px-Tirana_Night_View.jpg)
During his term as mayor, Basha vowed to lead big reforms in his first hundred days in office, while promising to make the municipality more accessible to citizens and free of political conflicts.[6]
His main focus was the development of the new strategic urban plan, to increase investments and employment and solve the traffic problems in the city centre.
A draft was presented in May 2012 and it was considered as very important for the future economic development of the city. It was one of the first successes of Basha as mayor of Tirana, but the plan was opposed by the opposition. The new Urban Development Plan proposed a number of measures, primarily with a focus on the road network and, to a smaller degree, on sustainable modes of transport. A tramway system in addition to the bus system was proposed and the plan also included the building of a new boulevard in the northern part of the city and the rehabilitation of theLanë.[7]
The earlier plan for theSkanderbeg Squarewas scrapped and a new one introduced. The use of the square by all motor vehicles will be restored through the construction of a narrower road segment around the center of the square including bicycle lanes. The existing green field south of Skanderbeg's statue was extended northward for a few hundred meters, while trees were planted in most places.[citation needed]
In May 2013 the City Hall launched an international tender for the construction of the capital's new northern boulevard, with a length of 1.8 km.[8]The project was expected to be finished before Basha's first mandate as mayor, but after the2013 parliamentary election,the newRama Governmentcut off most of the funds.[citation needed]
Basha didn't run for a second mandate in the2015 local elections,which were won by the Socialist Party candidate Erion Veliaj.[9]
Leader of the opposition (2013–2022, 2023–2024)
[edit]After the defeat of the Democratic Party-led coalition in the2013 parliamentary electionand the resignation ofSali Berishaas party leader, Basha was elected as chairman of the Democratic Party on 22 July 2013, following the first one-member-one-vote election in party's history.[10][11]
On 30 September 2014, a national congress of the Democratic Party was held to elect a new leadership.[12]In the congress a tough reform of the party was announced by Basha.[citation needed]
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/64/EPP_Congress_Madrid_-_21_October_%2822176440870%29.jpg/220px-EPP_Congress_Madrid_-_21_October_%2822176440870%29.jpg)
During his leadership numerous anti-government demonstrations have been held, accusing the government as corrupt and criminalised. In 2015 the Democratic Party proposed a Decriminalisation Law, which led to several months of negotiations with the government. Finally in December 2015, the law was passed by majority in the Parliament, barring people with criminal convictions from holding public office.[13]
On 11 December 2016 during the celebrations for the 26th anniversary of the Democratic Party, party leader Lulzim Basha announced his program for the further modernization and democratisation of the party ahead of the 2017 parliamentary elections.[citation needed]
After previously promising that 35% of the parliamentary candidates would consist of members from the youth movement of the party, Basha now announced a limitations of all mandates of the party leaders to a two-year term, and the full democratisation of the internal election process.[14]
On 18 February 2017 members of the Democratic Party and other opposition parties, under the leadership of Lulzim Basha pitched a giant tent outside the Prime Minister's office in Tirana after thousands of protesters rallied to demand free elections and a technocrat government. Theopposition protestfurther escalated into a larger political conflict. The Democratic Party and its allies refused to register to take part in the 18 June general election, until the government will accept their conditions to secure a free and democratic election.[15][16]
Following the aftermath of the Democratic Party's defeat in 2021. Which was considered Basha's fourth defeat in Albanian elections. Much debating between the party began after the election. Many wanted Basha to resign and elect a new leader of the Democratic Party. With dismay of some members Basha was reelected against his challengerAgron Shehaj.[17]
Dispute with Sali Berisha and Gazment Bardhi
[edit]Following the United States' decision in Public Designation ofSali Berisha.Lulzim Basha made the decision to expel Berisha from the party.[18]This caused a major split in the party and made Basha unpopular, with many members choosing to side with Berisha and leaving the party. On 11 December 2021 Sali Berisha held an informal congress that voted in favor to remove Lulzim Basha as leader of the party;[19]this, however, was not recognised by the party, with Basha declaring it illegitimate and non-binding.
On 21 March 2022 Lulzim Basha would resign as leader of the Democratic Party of Albania. Which in result causedEnkelejd Alibeajto become leader of the Democratic Party of Albania.[20]
On 30 July 2023 Basha was reelected controversially as leader of the Democratic Party. Prior to the election,Gazment Bardhiclaimed that Basha was trying to seize exclusive power in the party.[21][22][23]
Loss of Logo (11 June 2024)
[edit]On June 11th, 2024 the Court of Appeals voted against Lulzim Basha's claim on the logo and signature of the Democratic Party, giving it to the Reestablishment Group led by Sali Berisha.
Political positions
[edit]EU Integration
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0d/EPP_Summit%2C_March_2015%2C_Brussels_%2816240791684%29.jpg/220px-EPP_Summit%2C_March_2015%2C_Brussels_%2816240791684%29.jpg)
Basha is a strong supporter of Albania joining the EU.[24][25]
Economy
[edit]During the2017 Albanian parliamentary electionhe proposed reinstating the flat tax at a 9% rate.[26]The flat tax was a form of taxation which had been applied by Berisha's government between 2005 and 2013.[27]
Foreign affairs
[edit]In June 2017, Basha met with PresidentDonald Trumpduring a visit to the US as part of participation in White House Workforce Development week.[28]
Controversies
[edit]Durrës-Kukës highway allegations
[edit]As the Minister of Transportation and Public Works from 2005 to 2007, Basha was responsible for the construction of theDurrës-Kukës highwaytoKosovo,the country's largest public work. In connection to this, in October 2007, the Prosecutor's Office accused him of abuse of power and breaking tender rules and claimed these irregularities cost Albanians more than €230 million. Basha asked for his parliamentary immunity to be lifted in order for the justice to conduct a full investigation. Basha's immunity was lifted by parliament at the end of December 2017.[29]The high court later on dismissed the charges.[30][31][32]
References
[edit]- ^"Basha: Unë jam nip Kosove, gjyshi im është larguar nga Drenica prej presionit e masakrave serbe"[Basha: I am a grandson of Kosovo, my grandfather left Drenica due to the pressure of Serbian massacres].Drenica Press(in Albanian). 13 November 2020. Archived fromthe originalon 29 June 2021.Retrieved13 November2020.
Unë jam nip Kosove, gjyshi im është nga Mitrovica e gjyshja nga Gjilani
- ^"Albania pins its hopes on youthful government".Kosovareport.Reuters. 8 September 2005.Retrieved24 December2007.
- ^"Kush është Lulzim Basha?"[Who is Lulzim Basha?] (in Albanian). Albeu. 1 April 2011.Retrieved25 November2018.
- ^"Shefi i Europol: Me mbresa nga progresi i Shqipërisë".Archived fromthe originalon 3 September 2017.Retrieved25 June2017.
- ^"Visa Liberalisation enters into force in December 2010".Retrieved27 May2013.
- ^"Lulzim Basha Sworn in as Tirana Mayor".26 July 2011.
- ^"New Urban Development Plan of Tirana sets direction for road network development (Albania) - Eltis".eltis.org.Archived fromthe originalon 19 February 2017.Retrieved25 June2017.
- ^Times, Tirana (31 May 2013)."City Hall launches international tender for Tirana new north boulevard".Retrieved25 June2017.
- ^"Erion Veliaj takes office as Mayor of Tirana".Archived fromthe originalon 1 August 2015.Retrieved31 August2015.
- ^"Basha Elected Head of Albania's Democrats:: Balkan Insight".balkaninsight.23 July 2013.Retrieved25 June2017.
- ^Times, Tirana (26 July 2013)."Basha elected new Democratic Party leader".Retrieved25 June2017.
- ^albania-opposition-party-elects-new-leadership
- ^"Albania MPs to Vote on 'Decriminalising Politics':: Balkan Insight".balkaninsight.25 November 2015.Retrieved25 June2017.
- ^"Basha Announces Thorough Reform of PD - Exit".11 December 2016. Archived fromthe originalon 24 September 2017.Retrieved25 June2017.
- ^"Albanian protesters rally, pitch tent to demand free elections".Reuters.18 February 2017.
- ^"Albania Opposition Parties to Boycott June Elections".Balkan Insight. 11 April 2017.Retrieved25 June2017.
- ^"Agron Shehaj challenges Lulzim Basha, runs for Democratic Party chairman: New vision and direction needed".politiko.al.Retrieved5 August2023.
- ^"Zyrtare, Basha përjashton Berishën nga PD"(in Albanian).Retrieved5 August2023.
- ^"Kuvendi i thirrur nga Berisha, shkarkon Bashën dhe Kryesinë e PD".Euronews Albania.11 December 2021.Retrieved5 August2023.
- ^Kraja, Gresa (21 March 2022)."Lulzim Basha jep dorëheqje nga kreu i PD-së".Radio Evropa e Lirë(in Albanian).Retrieved5 August2023.
- ^"DP Chairman Elections, Bardhi's Sends Case to Court".Albania Daily News.Retrieved5 August2023.
- ^"Analyst: Alibeaj's resignation can bring back Lulzim Basha".politiko.al.Retrieved5 August2023.
- ^"Will Lulzim Basha return? Alibeaj reveals how the truth lies".sot.al.Retrieved5 August2023.
- ^"Basha discusses EU integration with EPP President Daul".5 December 2017.
- ^"EPP - European People's Party".
- ^"Basha in Has:" My first decision as PM, flat tax and reducing VAT "".
- ^"Albanian opposition demands the return of the flat tax".8 August 2018. Archived fromthe originalon 26 August 2018.Retrieved25 August2018.
- ^Shera, Urim (14 June 2017)."Basha: Extraordinary meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump".Archived fromthe originalon 18 September 2017.Retrieved14 June2017.
- ^"Albania '230 Million New Loan For Highway".Balkan Insight.24 April 2008.
- ^Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2009.Government Printing Office. p. 1220.
- ^"Albania-Kosovo Highway Case Kicked Out".Balkan Insight.10 April 2009.
- ^Elsie, Robert (2010).Historical Dictionary of Albania.Rowman & Littlefield. p. 36.ISBN978-0-8108-6188-6.
External links
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- 1974 births
- 21st-century Albanian politicians
- Albanian diplomats
- Leaders of the Democratic Party of Albania
- Political party leaders of Albania
- Government ministers of Albania
- Foreign ministers of Albania
- Transport ministers of Albania
- Kosovo Albanians
- Living people
- Mayors of Tirana
- Members of the Parliament of Albania