The political clash over the protests in Tirana has once again shifted to social media, where Prime Minister Edi Rama attacked the “European Democrats” over their stance on episodes of violence. This time, he highlighted the blocking of an intersection and the striking of a citizen’s car, calling for a condemnation that is “clear and without excuses.”
Rama turns the debate back to episodes of violence
In his latest reaction, Rama disputes the way the “European Democrats” have commented on developments during the protests, suggesting that, in his view, violence is being relativized with the argument that these are isolated cases.
He cites as an example the blocking of an intersection in the city and the surrounding of a citizen’s car, whose driver, according to the version presented by the prime minister himself, was only trying to pass through. The question he addresses to the “European Democrats” is direct: will they condemn this case as well, without excuses?
Accusation of minimizing the incidents
Rama claims that the previous reaction of the “European Democrats” came only after footage of violence against elected representatives was published. He further accuses them of softening the weight of the events by describing them as isolated acts.
At the heart of his rebuttal is precisely this objection: according to Rama, the peaceful conduct of many protesters cannot be used to minimize the violent incidents involving another group.
What Rama says about the protest and Parliament
The prime minister stressed that the protest has continued for 101 days on the boulevard without problems regarding the right to gather, speak and criticize. But he draws a clear distinction between the rally itself and acts that, in his view, cross into physical obstruction and mistreatment.
Among the cases he mentions are preventing MPs from entering Parliament and the mistreatment of a female MP, which he describes not as political opposition but as violence. This is the core of the argument Rama is using in his clash with his European political partners.
A response in sharply political tones
In his post, Rama also uses a Latin reference, “errare humanum est, perseverare diabolicum,” to attack what he presents as persistence in a mistaken position by the “European Democrats.”
The tone of the reaction shows that the debate is no longer limited only to the protest on the ground, but also to how it is being read and used politically in relation to international allies. At this stage, it remains clear that each side is trying to turn the narrative in its own favor.
Beyond the strong political language, the latest episode once again highlights the clash between the right to protest and the point at which a gathering becomes pressure on citizens or institutions.
The debate is now twofold: what is really happening on the ground, and how what is happening is being interpreted by political actors inside and outside the country.