For the past two weeks, thousands of Albanians have taken to the streets of Tirana in a wave of protests that began in opposition to the development project on Sazan Island and the Vlora coastline, but has now evolved into a broader revolt against the government and the old political establishment.
As pressure on him continues to grow and calls for his resignation become increasingly louder, Prime Minister Edi Rama has made it clear that he has no intention of stepping down at this moment.
In an interview with the Italian magazine Vanity Fair, the head of government linked the end of his political career to a historic milestone: Albania’s accession to the European Union.
“The first meeting of Albania as a member state of the European Union would be the most beautiful occasion to resign,” Rama stated, suggesting that his departure will come only after the goal of European integration has been achieved.
However, he added that he will remain at the head of the government for as long as he feels the “fire of passion” to govern the country.
In the interview with Vanity Fair, Rama also spoke about the political and personal pressure that comes with leading a country, using the metaphor of a fresco that, when viewed too closely, makes “the walls close in and leaves you feeling as if you are in a prison cell.”
As the protests continue, Rama insists that the end of his political era will come only on the day Albania takes its seat for the first time as a full member of the European Union.
