Prime Minister Edi Rama has defended his government’s handling of the controversial luxury tourism developments linked to Jared Kushner, insisting that his resignation “has never been, is not and will never be an option.”
Speaking in an interview with Deutsche Welle, Rama rejected claims that public trust in Albania’s democratic institutions has been broken, describing the ongoing protests as evidence of a functioning democracy.
Addressing criticism over the planned luxury tourism projects, Rama said no one could lecture him on aesthetics.
“People can lecture me on many things – economics, legal affairs, agriculture or healthcare – but there is one thing no one can lecture me on, and that is beauty,” he said, citing his experience as culture minister, mayor and prime minister.
He dismissed allegations that the developments would privatise public space, calling them “a lie.”
“There is no privatisation of public space. It’s that simple. There isn’t,” Rama said.
The prime minister also defended amendments to Albania’s environmental legislation, arguing that they do not violate European standards and would be scrutinised during the country’s European Union accession process.
Commenting on the role of social media and artificial intelligence, Rama warned that online algorithms reward sensationalism over facts.
“Algorithms don’t like boring truths. They like entertaining lies. They don’t like nuance. They like scandal,” he said, arguing that the amplification of misinformation poses a growing challenge to democratic societies.
Asked whether more than a month of anti-government protests had changed his position on stepping down, Rama ruled out resignation.
“Resignation has never been, is not and will never be an option,” he said, adding that he had been elected by 868,000 Albanians to complete the country’s EU accession negotiations.
Rama said the government has a duty to listen to protesters’ concerns but insisted that governments cannot resign simply because a segment of the population demands it.
“If people want a different government, they must wait until the next elections,” he said.
The post Rama: No One Can Lecture Me on Beauty, Resignation Is Not an Option appeared first on Euronews Albania.
