The United States has removed the “non grata” designation imposed on Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha.
Sources within the Democratic Party confirmed to Vizion Plus that the decision by the U.S. Department of State was communicated to Berisha during a telephone conversation with U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Nancy VanHorn.
On May 19, 2021, then-U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken designated the Democratic Party’s historic leader and former Prime Minister Sali Berisha as “non grata” over allegations of significant corruption. As a result, Berisha and his family were barred from entering the United States.
Berisha strongly opposed the decision and filed a defamation lawsuit against Blinken in a Paris court. However, the court ruled against him.
Following the U.S. sanctions against Berisha, Democratic Party leader Lulzim Basha decided on September 9, 2021, to expel him from the party’s parliamentary group.
Berisha responded by launching a movement within the Democratic Party, a process that ultimately led to Basha’s removal and Berisha’s return as chairman of the party.
After Donald Trump was elected President of the United States, the Democratic Party intensified its efforts to have the sanctions against Berisha lifted.
A year ago, the Democratic Party hired the lobbying firm “Continental Strategy” under a contract worth $250,000 per month. According to the agreement, the company would assist the Democratic Party in establishing contacts with U.S. government officials and members of Congress, while promoting causes such as anti-corruption efforts and reforms aimed at strengthening U.S.–Albania relations.
However, it was widely understood that one of the key objectives of the lobbying effort was also to secure the removal of the sanctions imposed on the Democratic Party’s historic leader, Sali Berisha.
