Erion Braçe: Political choice is a constitutional right, attacks are a manifestation of new fascism

Socialist Party MP Erion Braçe said this Wednesday in an interview with Mirela Milori on Euronews Albania that the incident a day earlier, in which several protesters followed and insulted MP Iris Luarasi, was a concerning case. According to him, Briseida Çakërri and Luarasi were forcibly stopped as they were leaving the parking lot of a shopping center, with their freedom of movement also being violated.

Braçe described the wave of attacks as a manifestation of “new fascism” that directly affects an individual’s right to make their own political choice. He also said that the Socialist Party’s response to these incidents had been delayed.

The Socialist MP stressed that such behavior cannot be accepted, as there is a risk that it could become normalized and used as a means of targeting individuals.

“Both women were stopped at the exit of the Toptani shopping center parking lot and attacked violently and barbarically. Their freedom of movement was restricted, and their vehicles—and therefore their property—were subsequently damaged as well. The attack was not limited to what was seen and received so much attention—the violent, shameful and repulsive attack against Ms. Luarasi—but continued with two other female MPs as well,” Braçe said.

He added that fascism should not be understood only through elements related to the use of weapons. According to him, statements that these women had made the “wrong historical choice” are signs of a new form of fascism. Braçe stressed that political choice is personal and that, in a free country, no one else can decide an individual’s political position.

“Do not take Kosovo as an example. My political choice is my own, and I live in a free country where I must determine my own position. My position is determined neither by Adriatik Lapaj, nor Agron Shehaj, nor Alind Qori, nor anyone else, with or without a party. This is a phenomenon that is being repeated, and only today did the Socialist Party respond to it. These are the first signs of a fascism that directly undermines the freedom of individual choice and goes as far as lynching people because of their convictions and political freedom,” he said.