A reaction from Brussels has amplified the protests in Tirana. Bulgarian MEP Andrey Kovatchev said that young people in Albania are demanding more than promises, emphasizing accountability, an end to corruption, and the right to challenge those in power peacefully.
Political message on the protests in Albania
In a post on social network X, Kovatchev said that Albanian young people are not simply asking for political statements, but for concrete responsibility from those who govern.
In his reaction, he stressed that the demand for a European future is tied to democracy and the rule of law, not only to political rhetoric. This is a signal that reads the discontent on the ground as an issue of democratic standards and not merely as a momentary tension.
Focus on corruption and accountability
Kovatchev said that young people want accountability and an end to corruption, linking this directly to the country’s European perspective.
According to him, their concerns must be taken seriously and their voices must be heard. The message comes at a time when the protests are once again raising questions about how institutions respond to public discontent.
A warning for both protesters and law enforcement
The MEP underlined that freedom of assembly and expression must be exercised peacefully. He added that violence is unacceptable, whether from protesters or from law enforcement forces.
In the same reaction, he called for every allegation to be investigated with due process and accountability. This wording puts at the center not only the conduct of protesters, but also the responsibility of the police and institutions for how the protest is managed.
Message on Albania’s European path
Kovatchev also said that Europe wants to welcome an Albania committed to European values.
His statement directly links the development of the protests and their institutional handling with the standards expected from a country seeking integration. In this framework, the focus remains on concrete proof of the rule of law and not on political promises.
The reaction of the Bulgarian MEP places the debate over the protests in Tirana within a broader framework: not only as an internal political clash, but also as a test of accountability, corruption, and respect for fundamental rights.
These are precisely the issues on which the credibility of institutions is measured when they speak of democratic standards and the European path.