Dashamir Shehi: The prime minister’s resignation is non-negotiable; half of Albania throws stones at Rama

This Friday, LZHK leader Dashamir Shehi declared that Prime Minister Edi Rama’s resignation must be non-negotiable.

According to him, the situation cannot be resolved through the police but requires a political solution and the formation of a joint government with broad political representation.

He said the first task of this joint government should be to continue working toward Albania’s EU membership.

Shehi also said that half of Albania does not want Rama as prime minister.

“The first point is Rama’s resignation. A political crisis requires a political solution. This cannot be resolved with police officers. Let’s suppose this is brought to an end and the police win. But then it erupts somewhere else. This does not end; these are flare-ups. In politics, we have some negative precedents from 1997–1998, when a solution was found only after events had unfolded. The point is to find a solution before something happens. That is politics. If politics follows protests and revolt, it is no longer doing its job.

“Politics must prevent the worst from happening. The resignation is non-negotiable. A joint government should be formed. They hold the majority, and it is up to them to nominate the prime minister. I would not rule out a Socialist prime minister, an intellectual. But the other side must also be involved—the Democratic Party in this case, or other parties in parliament—and those out on the streets must also be represented. This government’s first task must be to continue negotiations for EU membership. Europe itself, seeing that Albanians are represented by a broad-based government for the first time, will make the process easier than it would with a single man at whom half of Albania throws stones in the streets,” Shehi said during an appearance on News24.