Skopje, 8 February 2024 (MIA) - The legitimate leader of the Alliance for Albanians (AA) is Arben Taravari and the party has a legitimate assembly, said Minister of Health Fatmir Mexhiti, who is facing dismissal after a rift in AA. Mexhiti accused DUI of obstructing his work.

"The Alliance for Albanians has one central assembly and it will be held tonight in Kumanovo. It will also be a rally with the citizens. The legitimate bodies or the legitimate leader of the party is Taravari," Mexhiti told reporters on Thursday. 

Asked what is his message to Zijadin Sela, who heads one of the party's wings, he said that AA has its legitimate bodies and a legitimate leader who has been elected in the most democratic way in the party.

"Those who have decided to cut deals with DUI for their own personal interest, it is their business, I'm sending them wishes of good health, as Minister of Health. That is my comment on this matter," said Mexhiti. 

He added that they have the support of 83 MPs and there is no ambiguity.

"We have the support of 83 MPs and I think there are no ambiguities here. We have legal, legitimate bodies, we have a legitimate leader," Mexhiti noted.

He said he didn't know when the session on his dismissal will be held, adding that he and the Minister of Information Society and Administration Azir Aliu have the right to address the MPs.

On Justice Minister Krenar Lloga, who backs Sela, Mexhiti said Lloga is his friend and he has great respect for him, but sometimes friends take different paths.

Mexhiti also said there are reports in the public that directors at the Clinical Center from the ranks of DUI have been told to take a sick leave so as to avoid being dismissed by him. He asked the journalists and the Fund to check that information. 

The Health Minister reiterated that politics should stay out of health care and education, saying that he's been facing obstructions through Artan Grubi in implementing projects, despite fighting for the rights of health care workers and for better services to citizens.

According to him, it has turned out that DUI, through its ministers on whom many things and solutions depend, has decided to politicize to the end. 

"I also regret that they have found allies on that path in several members of the Alliance. But on the other hand, I can say that now it is finally clear who are the true members of the Alliance who work honestly and stand behind the party's ideology, and who are the ones who, for the sake of personal interests, have decided to cut deals with DUI in politics. Finally, citizens can make a difference and be sure that we will not have DUI Trojan horses that will destroy the party," said Mexhiti.