Faced with criticism and public dissatisfaction, politicians usually follow one of two paths: either they respond to the arguments, or they try to downplay them. Prime Minister Edi Rama, judging by his latest reaction, appears to have chosen the second option, describing the protests as the result of a “collective hysteria” fueled by social media.
In the same reaction, he also mocked the participation of Albanians from Kosovo and North Macedonia, portraying them in a sarcastic tone as people coming to “save Albania.”
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“A state is built without losing the direction of history. I have received many messages as if the thought of resigning had crossed my mind. Because more and more, people are beginning to see that this is something that stands neither in heaven nor on earth. No reasonable Albanian can accept Tirana becoming a parade ground for a crowd that goes to block the airport. No one can accept this. Naturally, the gradual withdrawal of the attention of those who went there to take the stage and the remaining group, where there is a terrible mixture and it is a nationwide mixture. People are coming from Kosovo, from Macedonia, to save Albania in the name of Albanians. They are clamoring for the nation to gather here,” Rama said, among other things, in his public reaction.
Instead of interpreting this participation as a sign of national connection and interest in developments affecting all Albanians, the head of the Albanian government chose irony and ridicule. Such an approach raises serious questions both about how he views the protest and about the meaning he gives to national solidarity.
In this context, the question also arises: what lies at the core of this mockery? Is Rama underestimating the right of Albanians, wherever they live, to express concern and solidarity over developments in Albania?
Ndoj: Rama frightened by the hurricane of protest
Commenting on this issue for “Bota sot,” commentator Llesh Ndoj from Albania said that the way Rama is reacting is no different from the behavior of autocrats in different countries and periods.
According to Ndoj, with his latest statements about Albanians from Kosovo and North Macedonia, Rama is trying to confuse the cause of the protest with its forms and means.
“First of all, let me say that Rama’s reaction to the protest as a whole is no different from the reactions of autocrats all over the world and throughout all times. What is the essence? The deliberate confusion of causes with the means and forms of organization, in order to diminish their weight and importance and to exclude himself from responsibility.”
He added that at the center of the protest stand Rama’s arrogance and deafness, while regarding the participation of Albanians from Kosovo, he stressed that they are welcome when the issues have a national character.
“Now let us get a little more specific. The current protest is caused by the arrogance and deafness of Rama and his autocratic ruling class, although it remains diverse in participation, slogans, and solutions. As for the participation of Kosovars, or Albanians who are not citizens of Albania, even though in principle they are always welcome, especially when it comes to national issues, when it comes to ‘down with this one and up with that one,’ perhaps they do not have the proper effect,” he elaborated.
Further, Ndoj said the prime minister appears insecure and frightened by the power of the protest, while his behavior, according to him, is revealing weakness and further fueling discontent.
“Nevertheless, the Prime Minister, not being calm, perhaps also visibly frightened by the hurricane of protest, because Albania is and must remain the epicenter of the Albanian national project, should have treated his fellow nationals with more respect, just like all the other protesters.
Clownish movements, sarcasm, mockery, and labeling only show his weakness and add fuel to the protest,” Ndoj concluded for “Bota sot.”
Kapiti: Albanians from Kosovo and Macedonia are Albanians and patriots
Publicist Skënder Kapiti also opposed Edi Rama’s latest statements regarding the protests in Albania.
Kapiti harshly criticized the prime minister and the Socialist Party, accusing them of using Albania and national interests for power and personal glory.
“The protests of the youth, citizens, and the diaspora in Albania are not protests, as Rama has commented, aimed at creating ‘collective hysteria’ and seeking public attention. This is how they are labeled by this charlatan, who, according to his critics, cannot be called a prime minister, but anti-human, anti-Albanian, and oppressive. The youth and national protests are showing not only pan-Albanian public opinion, but also world opinion, the deeds and what this prime minister has done to his nation and his state.
Edi Rama, you are not the only one to blame for this, but also the Socialist Party of Albania that chose you as its leader and then gave you four mandates in power. Rama, your power and your party have built for you a false glory, and you have gained support in European diplomacy by speculating, oppressing, exploiting, and using Albania and national interests for power and personal glory.
According to your critics, as an anti-Albanian you have even gained respect among the historical enemies of Albanians. You have been and have behaved with cunning and hypocrisy against national agendas and in the service of anti-Albanian ones, using and exploiting power. Upon the damage, destruction, and suffering of Albanians caused by your clique and by the Socialist Party, you have built your ‘personality,’” he declared.
In his remarks to “Bota sot,” Kapiti also said that the latest protests in Tirana will remove Rama from power, because in his view citizens have now understood his game and his anti-Albanian politics.
“These protests will not only remove Rama from power, but they are also sealing on him the stigma of a prime minister considered by his opponents as among the most anti-Albanian in history.
Edi Rama and his Socialist Party, according to the protesters, have harmed no one but Albanians.
The people have labeled him, his politics and his power, as well as the people around him, as thieves and traitors. At the protest, the entire old politics of the 35-year transition was condemned. Rama and the Renaissance team, together with the pack of ignorant and servile men of letters and the bought media, left no label unused against the protesters: at times they were said to be incited by Greece, Serbia, Russia, or Iran, while now they are also using mockery against Albanians from Kosovo and Macedonia who are showing solidarity with the protesters.”
The publicist also focused on Rama’s approach toward Kosovo, saying that he has taken more positions and decisions against it and in favor of Serbia.
In particular, he criticized him for supporting the project for the partition of Kosovo and “Open Balkan.”
“Edi Rama, toward Kosovo, has not only given ‘messages,’ but according to his critics, has also undertaken actions, behavior, and even ‘projects’ against the interests of Kosovo and Albanians, and in favor of Serbia. He has been accused of supporting the partition of Kosovo and the Mini-Schengen project, which his opponents consider harmful for Kosovo and Albania.
According to his critics, he has never criticized the Serbian president nor Belgrade’s policy for their destabilizing actions toward Kosovo, for supporting and financing Serbian criminal and terrorist groups in Kosovo.
According to his opponents, he has been an advocate for Serbia’s president whenever the European Union has criticized and condemned Belgrade over provocations and threats against Kosovo’s territory,” he underlined for “Bota sot.”
Kapiti went on to praise the participation of protesters from Kosovo and North Macedonia, saying they are right not to remain indifferent to what is happening.
He called on Rama to at least resign for everything that, according to him, he has caused the Albanian state.
“Albanians from Kosovo and Macedonia are Albanians and patriots, who cannot remain indifferent to what is happening in Albania and to these major and patriotic protests taking place in Tirana, regardless of whether Edi Rama likes it or not.
Edi Rama, whom one media outlet and some European figures, according to the author, have labeled as ‘the best Serbian prime minister after Pašić,’ is being asked to resign.
Rama must resign as the minimum level of accountability before citizens and Albania, and leave power, because the Albanian diaspora has also risen against him, as have those who abandoned the homeland because of his policies and governance, which opponents consider corrupt and criminalized.
Now, according to his critics, even his wisecracks and rhetoric have been exhausted, like those of a rooster standing atop the pile of corruption of the government and the Renaissance team. Even his associates, according to the protesters, are tired of listening to him,” he stressed.
In the end, Kapiti called for the protesters’ appeals in Tirana to be taken seriously and for Rama to leave power once and for all.
“Look at and listen to the people and the sovereign protesting every day in Tirana, in the cities of Albania, and in the capitals of Europe against you and against the regime that protesters consider corrupt and anti-Albanian. Answer before the protesters and their causes: ‘Albania belongs to Albanians, not traitors’ and ‘Albania is not for sale.’ And you understand who the traitor is and who bargains with Albanian lands.
However, Albanians in Albania never protested nor opposed their prime minister when he intervened in Kosovo’s affairs without being authorized by anyone in Kosovo. Likewise, they did not react when he behaved and acted openly, according to his critics, to the detriment of Kosovo’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Skënder Kapiti concluded for “Bota sot.”
