Menduh Thaçi is once again the leader of the Democratic Party of Albanians (DPA). He was re-elected at the 9th congress held today, with a "democratic atmosphere" and delegate turnout - per the party's official statement.

For anyone who doesn't follow Albanian politics in Macedonia: Menduh Thaçi is one of the longest-standing political figures in the country. For years considered de facto prime minister of the Albanians, as he himself once said over a coffee table. The party has been part of the Macedonian political system since the 1990s.

At the congress, members of the central council were also elected. A political resolution was adopted for "equality, authentic representation, democracy and the protection of the national interests of Albanians in Macedonia." With the standard rhetoric - "dignified representation, transparency and sustained political engagement."

The question DPA does not answer openly: how many votes did it get at the last elections? The number is significantly lower than what Thaçi pulled in 2008 or 2014. In the meantime, DUI took the dominant positions on the Albanian political spectrum, and VLEN has been chipping at them too. DPA now survives as a remnant of an era, not as an active political force.

But Thaçi holds the position. And even when a politician doesn't bring a government, he can still be a factor: with votes in parliament, with coalition negotiations, with political balances. Macedonian politics doesn't run on size alone - it runs on presence. And Thaçi, with the 9th congress, is confirming that he intends to stay.