Marjana Koçeku lashes out at Rama in British media: This government cannot change Albania

Marjana Koçeku, one of the youngest MPs in the Albanian Parliament and former member of the ruling Socialist Party, stated in an interview with Britannia Daily that the wave of protests in the country is a sign of a "deep crisis of trust" between citizens and state institutions.

Koçeku, who took office in September last year and then left the SP parliamentary group to continue as an independent MP, has given a direct message to the protesters: "You are not alone."

According to her, the growing dissatisfaction is not only related to certain policies, but to the way power is exercised in Albania. She emphasized that her decision to break away from the majority came from internal disappointment with the functioning of the political system.

“Parliament often functions as a place where party decisions are simply approved, without real debate,” she said, adding that party discipline often carries more weight than the public interest.

"The protests strengthened my decision"

Koçek praised the mass protests in Albania as one of the most important civic movements of recent years, emphasizing that they represent a new generation that demands transparency, accountability, and democratic reform.

"They didn't cause my departure, but they strengthened it," she said.

According to her, the protests show that citizens have not lost faith in democracy, but are demanding that it function better.

Warning from within politics

In one of the strongest statements of the interview, the MP suggested that the dissatisfaction within the Albanian political elite is deeper than it appears publicly and that there may be other departures from the main parties.

"I believe it's only a matter of time before other politicians speak out," she said.

Koçeku also stated that communication with her former colleagues in the SP will now only be done through official channels.

"It's a crisis of confidence, not just politics"

According to her, Albania is facing a fundamental crisis of trust between citizens and institutions, where decision-making is increasingly seen as disconnected from the public.

“When citizens lose confidence that their voices are heard, they seek other democratic ways to express themselves, ” she said.

A harsh message to the political class

The MP emphasized that change cannot come only from the rotation of political figures, but requires a profound transformation of the culture of governance.

"This country doesn't just need a change of individuals, but a complete renewal of political culture ," she said.

In a blunt statement, Koçek said: “This government cannot make this change, and neither can the old political elite.”

Message to protesters: "You also have a voice in Parliament"

Addressing the protesters, she stated that their voice matters and that civic participation is not in vain.

“You are not alone — now you have another mandate in Parliament,” Koceku said.