Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Edi Rama during the Democratic Party’s National Assembly on Saturday, accusing the government of corruption and pledging that the opposition would continue pursuing what he described as the “Balluku file.”

Addressing party delegates, Berisha claimed that Rama was protecting Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku because, according to him, the allegations linked to her were ultimately tied to the prime minister himself.

“You think you have closed these files, but we will never close them,” Berisha said. “Edi Rama, our battle against you will be one you have never seen before. You have been caught as a vote thief, a looter of public funds, and you have zero legitimacy.”

The opposition leader also criticized the government’s infrastructure projects, contrasting them with roads built under previous administrations and alleging that recent projects associated with Rama and Balluku had suffered repeated failures.

Berisha further accused the government, along with what he described as international political actors, of orchestrating a campaign to weaken the opposition. He cited the loss of the party’s official symbols, financial restrictions, and political isolation as elements of a broader effort to undermine the Democratic Party.

Despite these challenges, Berisha said party supporters had remained committed to defending political pluralism and democratic values, pointing to several moments of mobilization by Democratic Party members as evidence of the party’s resilience.

The veteran politician also highlighted what he called a restoration of relations with international center-right partners. According to Berisha, major European and global political organizations have adopted resolutions supporting causes raised by Albania’s opposition and have expressed concerns over political developments in the country.

Berisha thanked representatives of Europe’s conservative and center-right political family, as well as European institutions and delegations that have monitored Albania’s political situation.

Concluding his address, the Democratic Party leader said the period of political confrontation and isolation was now behind the party, praising its members for their perseverance.

“The history of these years has shown that the Democratic Party did not surrender and did not accept disappearing,” Berisha told delegates. “You have proven that you are a force capable of resisting and rebuilding after every challenge.”