Kosovo “Ethnic Cleansing” Statement Sparks Clash Between Redi Muçi and Taulant Balla in Parliament

The plenary session in the Albanian Parliament began with remarks by MP Redi Muçi, who called on Prime Minister Edi Rama and the Albanian government to respond to Serbian Minister Snežana Paunović’s statement that she would ethnically cleanse Kosovo.

Muçi accused Rama of focusing on protesters while remaining silent when it comes to issues related to the national interest.

The MP asked what the prime minister was waiting for to respond to the Serbian minister’s statement and to the support Dačić has given her, at a time when Kosovo has declared Paunović persona non grata. He stressed that ethnic cleansing is considered a crime against humanity and that such chauvinistic positions run contrary to Albania’s Constitution, which provides for the protection of the rights of Albanians living abroad. According to him, if Rama does not speak out on such a statement, the question arises as to what he will take a position on.

Earlier, majority MPs had voted down a resolution proposed by the opposition on recognising the Serbian genocide in Kosovo.

Muçi also stated that Rama claimed to have uncovered foreign agents at the protest, singled out protesters and attacked well-known figures who joined the rally. He said the prime minister had tasked Taulant with attacking the few journalists who remain and had not hesitated to go after Dua Lipa either, yet had still not commented on the Serbian minister’s statement. According to the MP, the reason may be that Rama and his friend Vučić face the same concern: young people’s contempt.

In response, the head of the Socialist Party’s parliamentary group, Taulant Balla, said that the Albanian government had responded promptly through the Foreign Ministry, while using harsh language against Muçi.

Balla said such issues should not be handled with “the clowning of political amateurs,” as they are of national importance and cannot be used for mockery. He described Muçi as a new cadet in Parliament seeking attention and said that the Socialists are not “clowns” like him and do not mock national issues. Referring to Rama, Balla told Muçi and his associates to “wash their mouths” before mentioning him, arguing that Rama is the only prime minister to have raised the Kosovo issue in the heart of Belgrade and made it completely clear in Brussels as well.