Socialist Party MP Erion Braçe has reacted to the anti-government protest that has been taking place in Tirana for the past two weeks.
In a post published on his Facebook page, Braçe described the protest as a legitimate right, while stressing that the government must continue carrying out its duties in service of citizens.
Full statement by Braçe:
“OH DEAR, OH DEAR, A PROTEST IS NOT GOVERNANCE!
PEACEFUL PROTEST IS A LEGITIMATE RIGHT, A FUNDAMENTAL ELEMENT OF DEMOCRACY;
We must get used to it and accept it as such. Of course, no government feels comfortable facing a protest, but that is beside the point.
THE GOVERNMENT’S JOB IS NOT TO COMPLAIN ABOUT PROTESTS OR BE CONSUMED BY THEM; THE GOVERNMENT’S JOB IS TO GOVERN!
Govern! That is what you should do—GOVERN!
We are entering a difficult season in terms of weather, its consequences, and the services required to deal with them.
WE ARE ENTERING A HOT AND DRY SEASON, AND THE EL NIÑO PHENOMENON—for which many countries are already preparing from next week onward—WILL AFFECT US AS WELL, bringing with it a range of emergencies.
We must govern and prepare ourselves from an ENVIRONMENTAL perspective, especially regarding wildfires; from a HEALTH perspective, particularly concerning its impact on the elderly, children, and people with chronic illnesses; from a LABOR perspective, especially to protect workers and their health while working outdoors; and from a SERVICES perspective, particularly ensuring water supply for households and agriculture.
We are also entering the peak TOURISM season—the largest influx of visitors arrives now, and we must be ready in every respect, including services that last year were either missing or failed to function properly.
ALL OF THESE ARE EMERGENCIES!
In the daily work of governing, WE MUST IMPLEMENT THE BUDGET. By the end of May, we had collected even more revenue, yet spent less. THESE ARE FUNDS MISSING FROM THE ECONOMY, FROM JOBS, AND FROM PEOPLE’S LIVES. We need to INVEST!
Likewise, we must deliver on the commitments we have made. I am still waiting for the decision regarding mothers of children with disabilities. I am still waiting for the decision concerning newborn children and the new support scheme, which must be further expanded with additional measures, including a longer maternity leave period and more.
THERE IS SO MUCH WE HAVE COMMITTED TO DO!
The protest is on its legitimate path; the protesters are doing their job.
THE GOVERNMENT’S JOB IS TO GOVERN THE COUNTRY AND SERVE ITS PEOPLE!
Even those participating in the protest need public services. At the same time, there are many more citizens who are not protesting and who also deserve those services.
THAT IS THE GOVERNMENT’S JOB; IF IT DOESN’T DO IT, THERE IS NO POINT IN STAYING IN OFFICE!”
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