Prime Minister Edi Rama used his podcast to present the transformation of Malesia e Madhe and Permet as a government success, saying that these areas, which according to him looked “hopeless” a decade ago, have now become tourist destinations. The statement comes as part of the government’s narrative on territorial development, which is often presented without concrete comparative indicators in the same public communication.
Rama’s statements on the “Flasim” podcast
In the fifth episode of the seventh season of the “Flasim” podcast, Rama focused on Malesia e Madhe and Permet as two examples that, in his version, illustrate Albania’s change in recent years.
He said that around 10 years ago these were areas perceived as remote and with no reason to visit them, whereas today, according to the government, they are part of a “new Albania” built with a great deal of effort.
How he described the past situation
Rama recalled the period when, before becoming prime minister, he often traveled around Albania because of his previous post. In this comparison, he described Malesia e Madhe and Permet as places where people saw no future.
According to him, anyone living there seemed as though they would leave the next day, while visitors mainly went for family reasons, for weddings or for funeral occasions.
The claim that they have become tourist destinations
At the core of his message, the head of government said that today both areas have turned into destinations in today’s tourist Albania. He attributed this change to the work done by the government during this period.
However, this public statement was not accompanied by concrete data to compare economic development, population movement, investments, or the real impact of tourism in these areas.
Attack on social media and “screens”
Rama also criticized the way in which, according to him, perceptions of the country’s reality are shaped by social media and television screens. According to him, from Tirana much is “covered by the artificial clouds” of this public communication.
This is an argument the government often uses to challenge the critical climate in the media and online space, while promoting its own reading of developments in the country.
Rama’s statement on Malesia e Madhe and Permet comes at a time when the government is strongly anchoring its public communication in the story of transformation and tourism. But beyond the political wording, the question remains the real measurement of this change and the concrete benefit for residents on the ground.
In public searches for developments in government, terms such as minister of agriculture, who is Andis Salla the new minister of agriculture, and Melsi Koci are also circulating, but these issues are not related to Rama’s statement on Malesia and Permet.