Prime Minister Edi Rama reacted on Tuesday morning regarding the protest taking place in Tirana, which has now entered its 24th day.
Through a lengthy statement on social media, the head of government addressed the protesters with a reflective message, stating that he does not see them as the losers of a protest, but as citizens who have remained faithful to their beliefs and concerns.
“I do not see you as the loser of a protest, but as a person left only with his convictions,” Rama wrote at the beginning of his message, emphasizing that many participants may have been motivated by genuine concerns about the environment, the economy, property rights, healthcare, or social injustices.
The Prime Minister said that he understands the anger of citizens and the problems they face, highlighting cases of employers violating workers’ rights, state bureaucracy, and various economic and social difficulties.
In his statement, Rama accused political figures, commentators, influencers, and other public actors of using the protesters for their own interests, encouraging them and then abandoning them.
According to him, those who presented the protest as a popular uprising against the government are no longer standing alongside the protesters, while their political, media, or personal gains remain untouched.
The Prime Minister also criticized what he described as the influence of social media algorithms, fake profiles, and digital campaigns, arguing that public anger is often used to create false perceptions and manipulate public opinion.
In part of his message, Rama addressed responsibilities within the state administration, acknowledging that there are cases where officials and institutional employees abuse public trust, mistreat citizens, or seek illegal favors and benefits.
“I often experience empty awakenings with the same bitter feeling,” he wrote, drawing a parallel between the protesters’ disappointment and his own experiences while leading the government.
At the end of his message, the Prime Minister urged protesters not to allow their concerns and problems to be exploited by others for political or personal interests.
He stated that he is ready to listen to their criticism and respects the right of every citizen to consider him a political opponent.
“Ask yourself whether I am truly your enemy,” Rama wrote, concluding his statement with a direct message to the protesters:
“I am your friend, not your enemy.”
The Prime Minister’s reaction comes on the 24th day of the protest in Tirana, which has continued with citizen participation and intense political debate over its demands and objectives.
