Von der Leyen’s visit and meeting with Rama/ Fatos Lubonja: They come here to show us successes, they don’t hear the voice of protesting citizens

Analyst Fatos Lubonja, while a guest on News24’s “Minuta e Parë” show, commented on statements by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during her visit to Tirana.

Lubonja said the European official’s messages about Albania’s successes do not match the reality that, according to him, is being expressed through protests that have gone on for months.

Lubonja said that while protests continue in Albania against the political class and the developments of the last 35 years, European officials come to the country and talk about achievements.

He also criticized the European Commission President herself, describing her as a “failed politician” and pointing to dissatisfaction with her in Italy.

“These European politicians are failures. Von der Leyen is a failed figure, especially in Italy, where there is great dissatisfaction that is making them lose votes,” he said.

According to Lubonja, the stance of European officials is also linked to an effort to preserve the narrative that Albania has made progress and achieved success.

He went on to call for protests to extend to European Union institutions in Albania, claiming that the EU has supported what he described as a “narco-state.”

“We have to be realistic. There is a problem with statements made by international politicians. What is the problem? While we Albanians have been in protest for 4 months, which proves that there is an opinion that condemns the political class for what has happened in 35 years, Ms. Von der Leyen comes and talks about successes. These European politicians are failures. Von der Leyen is a failed figure, especially in Italy. There is great dissatisfaction that is making them lose votes.

Returning to Albania, they want to maintain the narrative that Albania has been successful, in order to deceive the Western public. They maintain it for two reasons: they themselves have failed and they cannot accept that they have failed for 35 years with the policies they have pursued in Albania. We must also protest at EU offices, over these stances that support the narco-state for their own interests. It does no harm to them or to us,” Lubonja said.