Edi Rama defends Albanian protests as sign of European democracy

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has addressed ongoing protests in Tirana, characterizing them as a sign of a 'normal European country' where peaceful demonstration is part of democratic life. In an interview with the British outlet UnHerd, Rama distinguished current protests from those in June, suggesting the recent movements are driven more by small political opposition groups from both the extreme left and right rather than a broad societal consensus.

Rama attributed much of the protest mobilization to social media algorithms, claiming that a significant portion of the content driving the demonstrations is produced outside of Albania. He noted that international attention was amplified by links to the Trump family and Jared Kushner regarding tourism projects. Despite the unrest, Rama stated that the government will not halt the Zvërnec project but will engage in consultations with interested parties.

Conversely, activists and protesters have criticized the government, with some calling for Rama's resignation. Activist Gent Progni argued that tourism issues stem from poor governance and urban chaos rather than public demonstrations. Protesters have continued their marches for over 70 days, with recent incidents in Zvërnec serving as a catalyst for further mobilization.