The Basic Court in Tetovo announced on Wednesday that the legitimate chairman of the Albanian party in North Macedonia, the Alliance for Albanians (ASH), is Ziadin Sela, and that the official party seals belong to him and the political group he leads.
The decision, which was published on Wednesday, is based on the articles of the party's statute, which define the manner of dismissal and election of the new chairman.
"Thus, in the court register of political parties, Ziadin Sela from Struga is recorded as the party's chairman, instead of the previous chairman Arben Taravari from Gostivar," the court's decision states.
With this, the court has recognized the decision of the congress, held last year, by Sela's faction, which re-elected him as leader, dismissing the former chairman, Arben Taravar.
How did the party split?
Clashes within the Alliance for Albanians (ASH) began shortly before the 2024 parliamentary and presidential elections.
Taravari, then the party chairman, decided to run in the elections in coalition with the Albanian opposition VALEN. Meanwhile, Ziadin Sela, who held the post of chairman of the party's Assembly, opposed this move, accusing Taravari of splitting the party.
As a result, the party split into two factions: one led by Sela, who later joined the “European Front” coalition led by the Democratic Union for Integration (DUI); and the other led by Taravari, who continued with the Albanian opposition, now in power.
The two wings organized separate congresses, where each re-elected its leader as party chairman.
In 2022, Ziadin Sela resigned from the post of chairman of the Alliance for Albanians after his party's defeat in the municipal council elections in Tetovo, thus giving way to Taravar.
Reactions after the Court's decision
Taravar's wing has described the decision as unfair and has announced an appeal to the Court of Appeals, while Deputy Prime Minister Arben Fetai, who supports Taravar, accused Judge Ilir Rexhepi of political bias.
"Judge Rexhepi's scandalous decision will be overturned again in the Court of Appeal. Until a final decision that will establish justice in the country, we leave Sela and his clique to content themselves with the imaginary seals of Judge Rexhepi and the candies of Ali Ahmeti," declared Fetai.
He added that an accountability procedure will be initiated against the judge.
According to the law, the appeal must be submitted within 15 days to the Court of Appeal, otherwise the decision becomes final.
The parties have constantly exchanged accusations of pressure on judges and their replacement with the aim of making decisions in favor of subjective interests.
On the other hand, Sela, in a statement to the media after the decision, expressed confidence that the Court of Appeal will also confirm this decision.
"We expect to win this case in the second instance and, for the sake of truth, the sooner this case reaches an epilogue, believe me, the clearer the political action will be not only of the ASH, but for all parties in North Macedonia. There is a tendency to introduce political chaos into Albanian parties," Sela declared./ REL
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