Marjana Koçeku’s decision to leave the Socialist Party’s parliamentary group and continue her political career as an independent MP has triggered the first reactions from members of the ruling party.
Among those responding was Helena Kaçe, the student who gained public attention after opening the Socialist Party Congress, where Prime Minister Edi Rama described her as one of the figures representing the party’s new generation.
In a social media post, Kaçe argued that Koçeku’s move was incompatible with the mandate she received under the Socialist Party banner, stressing that “true independence begins with giving up the parliamentary seat.”
“True independence does not begin by handing in your party membership card while keeping your seat. It begins by surrendering the mandate. If your ideals no longer align with that political home, the most principled step is to return the mandate to those who trusted you,” Kaçe wrote, while wishing Koçeku success in her political journey as an independent lawmaker.
Another reaction came from Alfred Muharremi, another representative of the Socialist Party’s younger generation. While acknowledging Koçeku’s right to pursue a different political cause, he questioned the timing of her decision.
According to Muharremi, the causes Koçeku now claims to represent were already known earlier, and she had the opportunity to raise and defend them from the parliamentary podium.
“If you believe you no longer represent the Socialist Party, then the political act does not end with surrendering your party membership, but with giving up the mandate as well,” he stated.
Muharremi added that a parliamentary mandate is a trust granted by citizens and by the political force under whose banner it was won. Therefore, he argued, leaving the Socialist Party should also be accompanied by relinquishing the parliamentary seat.
Marjana Koçeku announced on Sunday that she was leaving the Socialist Party’s parliamentary group and would continue her political activity as an independent MP, a decision that has already sparked debate within the socialist camp.
