Prime Minister Edi Rama told British media outlet UnHerd that recent protests in Albania differ from those held in June.
According to Rama, more political parties and opposition groups have joined the latest demonstrations. These groups include both far-left and far-right forces.
Despite the tensions, Rama said he was “very proud” that the protests remained largely peaceful.
He argued that citizens can protest freely on the boulevard without facing restrictions. Therefore, he said, the demonstrations show that Albania is behaving like a normal European country where protests form part of democratic life.
However, Rama rejected the idea that the protests represent Albanian society as a whole. He said many protesters have links to opposition parties and political groups seeking to remove his government.
Rama also highlighted the role of social media in mobilizing protesters. According to him, a significant share of the content promoting the demonstrations was produced outside Albania.
He particularly linked this activity to Jared Kushner, Ivanka Trump and the debate over tourism projects in Albania.
“The algorithm did a lot to bring people to the boulevard,” Rama said. He argued that the connection between the protests, Kushner and the Trump family increased international attention.
Meanwhile, Rama has previously defended the government’s position on projects in Zvërnec and Sazan. He said the protests should not be viewed as evidence that the projects have already started or that protected areas have been damaged.
Overall, UnHerd presents Rama as a prime minister who views the current situation not as a regime crisis, but as an expression of political and social dissatisfaction in a country that, he argues, has undergone significant economic changes during his years in government.
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