Italian union official writes open letter to Rama: Corruption has increased, leave

Spiro Prebibaj, a union official in Italy and representative of construction workers, has written an open letter to Prime Minister Edi Rama, expressing strong criticism of the government and demanding his resignation.

In his letter, Prebibaj says that for nearly 20 years he has been working to protect the rights of Albanian and foreign workers in Italy, while emphasizing that in recent years the number of Albanians seeking to leave the country for a better life has increased.

According to him, citizens have lost trust in the government and Albania is in a difficult political and social situation.

"We are at a critical point, living in a regime that seems worse than communism, despite proclaiming itself a democracy," he writes.

Prebibaj says he has participated in the protests against the government, describing them as an expression of citizenship and a demand for change. He also criticizes the government's unfulfilled promises on healthcare, the fight against corruption, and improving public services.

In his letter, he also addresses the interventions in the Nikaj-Mërturi River, which he considers unacceptable, claiming that they were carried out without communication with the residents and damaging a natural asset of the area.

Prebibaj also mentions previous statements by former President Ilir Meta and MP Eduard Shalsi about the need for investments in Nikaj-Mërtur, while accusing the latter of not keeping his promises and that, according to him, his interest was in exploiting the river.

OPEN LETTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER OF ALBANIA, MR. EDI RAMA

Your Excellency,
Prime Minister Edi Rama,
Tirana, Albania

My name is Spiro Prebibaj and I am a union official in Italy, representing all workers in the construction sector. For almost 20 years I have been involved in the protection of the rights of workers, both Albanian and foreign.
In recent years we have seen an increase in the number of Albanian citizens who want to move to Italy, in search of a better climate for work and life. Unfortunately, in Albania the situation has become unclear.

Albanian citizens have lost trust in the government, even in those who voted for it. We are at a critical point, living in a regime that seems worse than communism, despite proclaiming itself to be a democracy.

Last week I participated in a protest with many citizens, all united in demanding your resignation. We saw great civic engagement and accountability from the protesters, who were demanding radical change.

Despite your claims that you received over 800,000 votes, I recall that the communist regime also enjoyed such support, but the Albanian people have shown that they have the power to change. It is time to turn the page.

In your fourth term, you have continued to deceive Albanians with promises of free and efficient healthcare, 24-hour water and energy, and a fight against corruption. However, corruption has increased and citizens are tired of injustice.

I also want to emphasize that Albanians are not against Israel or the United States, but are united against you, Edi Rama. Protests are spreading all over the world, as citizens demand their identity and dignity.

The government's recent actions, such as the diversion of the Nikaj-Mërtur River without any communication, are unacceptable. Albanians have the sacred right to protect their land and identity.

A few years ago, former President Ilir Meta came out in Nikaj-Mërtur and in Curraj i Epërm, saying: how is it possible that this beautiful place has been abandoned and how has no investment been made in all these years?

The same thing was done by Mr. Eduard Shalsi, who a year ago came out to Curraj i Epërm, saying that such a place deserves investments, especially on the road to Curraj. But he was in their own interests, to take the river and destroy such an amazing natural environment.

I also call on the Italian Ambassador in Tirana, His Excellency Alessandro De Pedys, to stand on the side of rights and the weak. After more than 28 days of protests, we await his voice in defense of Albanian and Italian citizens in Albania.

If you do not want another half a million Albanians to be transferred to Italy, please do your part. I also make a strong appeal to the Albanian trade union and the media to make themselves heard and protect the rights of citizens.

Enough with defending a government that has already fallen; it's only a matter of time.

Rama, go away!

Long live Albania!
Long live the Albanians!

Respectfully,
Spiro Prebibaj