The leader of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, chose not to directly answer a question regarding recent developments involving businessman Klodian Allajbeu and suspicions of clientelistic corruption in the health sector.
A citizen asked Berisha:
"Doctor, recent developments surrounding the investigations related to Klodian Allajbeu have brought suspicions of clientelistic corruption in the health sector, the biggest scourge for Albanians, back into the spotlight. It would be interesting to hear your assessment and political stance on this issue, as well as what solutions the DP proposes to end the clientelistic ties between business and government. The DP is the only one denouncing this, while most media and portals remain silent and do not publish this news."
In his response, Berisha did not specifically comment on Allajbeu's case, but shifted the discussion to corruption in healthcare in general.
"The truth is that thefts in the healthcare system are the most painful thefts, because they cost human lives. They are based on favoring the oligarchs in the healthcare field, all at the expense of Albanian patients and the enrichment of officials in this field."
Further, the DP leader compared the situation to the period when he was in power, admitting that there was corruption even then, but arguing that today citizens pay much more out of pocket for health services.
Berisha also brought to attention the sterilization concession, for which he accused Edi Rama and former minister Ilir Beqaj.
"Sterilization, for which hospitals used to pay, I'm taking it arbitrarily, 1 lek, was privatized by Edi Rama and his minister Beqaj, increasing the price, according to experts, 84 times. Money that was used for medicines and other needs of the sick ended up in this concession."
However, despite the fact that the question was specific to Klodian Allajbeu, Berisha did not give a direct answer on this case.
This contrasts with the public stance of the Democratic Party just a short while ago. The Secretary General of the Democratic Party, Flamur Noka, has published on his Facebook profile direct accusations against Klodian Allajbeu, presenting him as one of the beneficiaries of clientelistic schemes in healthcare. To this day, those posts are still public.
