Prime Minister Edi Rama, speaking at the Euronews 2026 Tourism Summit in Brussels, addressed the ongoing protests in Tirana and also commented on singer Dua Lipa’s support for the demonstrations. Rama said that he is proud of Dua Lipa, just as she is proud of the protests taking place in the country.
He added that Dua Lipa is a singer, not the Pope, noting that there are also issues on which he disagrees with the Pope. Regarding the protests, Rama stressed that he himself was once a protester and had risked his life for freedom of speech.
“She is proud of the protest, and I am proud of her. It becomes ideological when you say it is either development or conservation. Dua likes the protest, and I love Dua very much. She is a singer, she is not the Pope. I like the Pope, but I don’t agree with everything the Pope says.
Ten years ago, there was a greater chance that protesters would be killed on the boulevard where they now gather every night. I have had to live with the loss of the lives of people who went out to protest with me.
I come from the protesters’ side myself. I have genuinely risked my life for freedom of speech. And I used to tell myself: ‘You are on this side, but they always have a reason.’ It is appealing to say that whenever protesters take to the streets, they are right, and that the government, when it comes under attack, is wrong.
This saga will end very well for both sides. If science says that it should not be touched… this is not a personal battle. We will publish everything we have, and the assessment will include any new information,” he said.
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