Rama himself accuses Russia and Iran of inciting unrest through social media. According to him, foreign parties spread disinformation via fake accounts. The prime minister speaks of foreign interference but has not presented convincing public evidence to support this.
Doubts
Rama aims for Albania to join the European Union by 2030. However, MEPs warn that the country must meet European standards for democracy, rule of law, and environmental protection before accession. The political unrest in Tirana and the treatment of demonstrators increase doubts about his government's willingness to comply with these conditions.
MEPs Marco Tarquinio and Andreas Schieder are particularly concerned about the use of violence against young people. Numerous demonstrators and police officers have been injured during clashes. Hundreds have also been arrested. The parliamentarians emphasize that peaceful protest is a democratic right.
Holiday Resort
Additionally, critics accuse the government of favoring a controversial tourism project. This involves a luxury holiday resort linked to Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump. Locals claim irregularities were committed in land transactions.
Flamingo Protest
Dutch MEP Tineke Strik mainly criticizes the damage to protected natural areas. Opponents fear that coastal zones and flamingo habitats might disappear. Their protest movement has thus been named the Flamingo Revolution. The initial resistance to the construction project has since grown into a broader movement against corruption and government policies.
Not Resigning
Since October 13, the protests have further escalated. Demonstrators have attacked government buildings and set fires. Police responded with tear gas, water cannons, and rubber bullets. Prime Minister Rama refuses to resign and calls violence a boundary that must not be crossed. He says he is willing to engage in dialogue but not with violent perpetrators or parties that do not distance themselves from violence.
