Skopje, 1 April 2025 (MIA) - The three other parties within the VLEN coalition denied on Tuesday that they are maintaining communication with the Democratic Union for Integration (DUI) following claims made by the fourth leader within the coalition, Arben Taravari, in an interview for 360 Degrees on Monday.

Quizzed if he maintains communications with the opposition party, Taravari said in the interview that he does, just as all the other parties in VLEN.

The three other partners in the four-party coalition responded to the interview with posts on social media denying Taravari’s claims they maintain communications with DUI. 

“Not wanting to assume the exact meaning of the statement made by Mr. Taravari that – in addition to him – all other leaders within VLEN maintain communications with Ali Ahmeti, we would like to clarify that neither leader Bilall Kasami nor any other member of the Besa Movement has had any communications with the Democratic Union for Integration,” the Besa Movement said in a post on social media.

The party noted that since its establishment it has never communicated with DUI and has had no reason to do so.

Alternativa said no one from the party has had any communication with DUI. 

“In order to clear up the issue for the public but also to be fair to the party’s bodies and structures, as well as to the membership and supporters, we would like to publicly state that Alternativa has had no communications at any level or any channel with the Democratic Union for Integration and its leader. Alternativa believes there is no reason or need to communicate with a party included in the U.S. blacklist, which the Albanians will remember for its corruption, crime and abuse of power,” Alternativa said in its response.

Izet Mexhiti’s Democratic Movement also dismissed Taravari’s claims, assessing them as speculation. 

“The Democratic Movement would like to explicitly and unequivocally distance itself from any political structure that has transformed corruption into a manner of ruling, and the country into a tool for personal enrichment. The Democratic Movement remains firm in its vision of a clean, non-corrupt political field in the service of the citizens,” the Democratic Movement said. 

Earlier on Tuesday, Taravari told journalists he believes the coalition is suffering from insufficient synchronization, but that it has no plans to leave the Government.

Photo: MIA Archive