The Tirana Court of Appeal has given the seal of the Democratic Party to former Prime Minister Sali Berisha. The judging panel decided a few minutes ago not to accept the appeal of Enkelejd Alibeaj, leaving in force the decision of Judge Agron Zhukri.
For more than 2 hours of the court session, the legal representatives of the Democratic Party of Lulzim Basha and the democratic group of Reestablishment of Sali Berisha were heard.
At 12:35 p.m., the panel of judges composed of relator Alma Ahmeti and members Iliba Bezati and Elona Toro retired to the consultation room.
The legal representatives on behalf of Lulzim Basha's group were Indrit Sefa, Rezart Kthupi, and Endri Hasa, whereas the Re-Establishment was represented by Ivi Kaso, accompanied by MPs Flamur Noka, Gazment Bardhi, Agron Gjekmarkaj etc.
For two and a half years, the battle for the seal of the Democratic Party has been going on between the democrats of Lulzim Basha and Sali Berisha with the hope of a final decision that will resolve once and for all the legal fate of the largest opposition party.
The moment that caused the rift was DP chairman Lulzim Basha's decision in September 2021 to expel former mentor and historic leader Sali Berisha from the parliamentary group following the latter's designation by the US as a 'non-grata' individual, along with his family. 
The battle between the two groups of Democrats turned physical on January 8, 2022, when Re-Establishment supporters stormed the party headquarters and only the intervention of the police avoided more serious consequences.
Speaking before the press, DP MP Flamur Noka commented that this was a good day for the Democrats but not a day of triumphalism. He urged all the "true democrats, those misunderstood supporters included", to join forces in the battle against the corrupted majority.