"Messages of the Day", everyone writes to Taulant Balla...

The head of the Socialist Party Parliamentary Group, Taulant Balla, has launched a new column on social media: publishing " messages of the day " from citizens, immigrants, tourists and government supporters, who allegedly feel the need to write to him personally to express their gratitude to Edi Rama and the Socialist Party.

In one of the published messages, an immigrant from Puka who lives in Mykonos writes a long text to Balla praising the government for "the most beautiful, most regulated and most successful Albania in years," while also expressing his support for investments in Sazan and Zvërnec.

In another case, a young man from Kosovo tells him that he has bought property in Albania and is concerned about protests against the development.

While another message comes from a person who introduces himself as a KLA fighter and congratulates the government for its "maturity" in the face of the protesters.

But instead of convincing the public, these messages have produced the opposite effect.

Many citizens have raised simple questions: How is it possible that so many ordinary people have Taulant Balla's personal number? And why do almost all the messages end up praising Edi Rama, the Socialist Party, or investments that are being opposed by citizens?

Citizens: Who are they selling these stories to?

Reactions online have been immediate and in most cases ironic. Many commentators have questioned the authenticity of the messages, asking how it is possible that so many ordinary people have Taulant Balla's personal number and choose it to express their political emotions.

"Make these messages a little more credible", "How come so many people have your number and none of us here?", or "I'll send you some SMS with ChatGPT so you can have them for later ", are just some of the comments that have received attention, writes Politiko.

Others have openly mocked the socialist's new column. "Posts to fix the algorithm ," writes one commentator, implying that behind these publications lies more the need to improve the image on the network than the desire to share real messages from citizens.

There has also been no shortage of mocking comments towards Balla himself. "Oh Taulant, what SMS did Trump send you today?" asks one citizen, while another writes: "How come so many people have your number, but none of us?".

Another commenter goes even further, ironizing the way these messages are presented: " In which store did you buy those glasses that make you see things differently than the rest of us?"

For many citizens, the " messages of the day" are not being seen as evidence of popular support, but as a forced attempt to create the impression that enthusiasm for the government continues unchanged, despite the criticism and protests of recent weeks.

After the protest, the battle for the algorithm begins

It is no coincidence that Taulant Balla's new column with "messages of the day" is appearing right at the height of the protest against the projects in Sazan and Zvërnec, which has already entered its 25th day.

As civic anger continues to produce public reactions and echoes, socialist leaders seem to have chosen another battle front: social media.

This situation comes at a time when criticism is no longer coming only from the opposition and citizens. Historical voices of the left such as Arta Dade and Arben Malaj have called for public reflection. Former Foreign Minister Ditmir Bushati has described what is happening with the territory as treating the homeland as market loot, while Elisa Spiropali has spoken openly about the need for self-cleansing and removing the "rust" from the Socialist Party, writes Politiko.

In this climate, according to media reports, Edi Rama himself seems to be feeling the lack of vocal support from important party figures. In the extended meeting with the government and the parliamentary group at the Brigades Palace, the prime minister is said to have expressed dissatisfaction with the silence of many socialist leaders on social networks.

According to sources, Rama has singled out Taulant Balla as the only one who is publicly standing by his side in this confrontation, defending the government and its projects.

Perhaps this is where the real explanation for the sudden explosion of "messages of the day" lies. While many SP figures have chosen silence or expressed reservations, Balla has taken on the role of the government's most active defender on social networks./Politiko.al