DW: Amid Protests, Edi Rama Funds With 4 Million Euros the Concert of the Singer Who Praised Hitler, Banned by Several European Countries

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama defended the decision to support with public money the concert of American rapper Kanye West, a figure who has sparked major controversy.

In a response published on Facebook on Wednesday, Rama answered the criticism by insisting that the sum of 4 million euros was an investment for the benefit of the country.

“We allocated 4 million euros at the last minute to avoid Albania’s humiliation in front of around 25,000 foreign visitors from 80 countries, who had already bought tickets to see Kanye West, while many others feared the concert might be canceled,” Rama wrote on Facebook.

Albania is the latest country to have granted the rapper permission to take the stage, after several other countries refused to welcome him. The concert is scheduled for July 11 and will take place near Tirana, in a temporary stadium built specifically for the occasion.

Why are some countries banning Kanye West?

The decision to fund this concert comes at a time when several European countries have decided not to allow his performances.

The rapper, who now also goes by the name YE, has been barred in several countries over previous statements that included antisemitic comments, praise for Adolf Hitler, and content featuring Nazi symbols.

Kanye later distanced himself from those positions, saying they were linked to his bipolar disorder.

Last year, he apologized for antisemitic posts on social media, expressing regret for the pain caused and asking for forgiveness.

Rama: Kanye will bring in revenue

However, France, the United Kingdom, Australia and Poland have banned his concerts or denied him entry into the country.

On the other hand, since last year he has performed in countries such as Slovakia, the Netherlands and Georgia.

Rama again defended organizing the concert, saying it would bring Albania at least 100 million euros in revenue, also linked to increased bookings in hotels and accommodation facilities during this period.

Meanwhile, the prime minister continues to face criticism over a luxury resort project promoted by Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump.

Opposition to this project has sparked daily protests in Tirana against the Kushner family and against what demonstrators see as corruption in the Albanian government.

By: Jenipher Camino Gonzalez, DEUTSCHE WELLE