Kryemadhi advises protesters outside SPAK: Get organized, but not along party lines

After the hearing at the Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO) ended, Monika Kryemadhi stopped to speak with protesters gathered outside the offices of the Special Prosecution against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) and the Special Court.

She advised those present to organize and structure their movement, while warning them not to follow the operating model of political parties.

The discussion was followed by an exchange between Kryemadhi and a protester, focusing on political parties, voting, and politicians’ relationship with citizens.

Excerpt from the conversation:

Monika Kryemadhi: Just listen to me for a moment, based on my experience. I am giving you some personal advice: get organized! If you do not create a structure, very few of you will remain.

Protester: Who should we organize with?

Monika Kryemadhi: With one another… By that logic, then, all Albanians must be thieves.

Protester: No, it is the parties that cause division.

Monika Kryemadhi: That is what parties do; the party does not care about you. How do you think you can sustain it?

Protester: Go on!

Monika Kryemadhi: How does the television station manage to maintain that entire large building?

Protester: With the people’s money.

Monika Kryemadhi: Then how did it come to be? Through the people.

Protester: You also became what you are through the people, to tell the truth.

Monika Kryemadhi: No, the people did not make me; my social circle did. The people did not vote for me.

Protester: Together with your social circle, you have all robbed us.

Monika Kryemadhi: No, no. My social circle gave me their votes, not the people.

Protester: But you asked the people for their votes.

Monika Kryemadhi: Did you vote for me? I asked my friends for their votes, not the people. And why do you come here?

Protester: What is this business about your social circle? It is good that you are saying it, because you are making yourself look bad.

Monika Kryemadhi: The people gave their votes to Edi Rama.

Protester: They did not give them to Edi Rama; he stole the vote.