Rama attacks the protest for "Corriere della Sera": Digital hysteria, megaphones don't knock me down

Edi Rama has chosen to respond to protests against projects in protected areas through an interview with "Corriere della Sera" , where he presents the clash not only as a debate about nature, but as a battle between the government and what he describes as "digital hysteria".

According to the prime minister, Albanians are protesting against something that does not yet exist.

"There is no construction permit. There is no construction site. There is no final decision on which one can say: stop it. Requesting the cancellation of a project that does not yet exist in its final form is a political demand, not a government decision," he declared.

But in the face of the anger of thousands of citizens who have taken to the streets for weeks, the prime minister insists that the protest is no longer just an environmental issue, but has turned into a political battle against his government.

Speaking about the project linked to the Trump family, Rama said that it will not be influenced by either public pressure or the name of the investors.

"I am not afraid of the American administration, nor of social networks, nor of the crowd. I have a responsibility to Albania. The criterion will be only one: does the project meet the legal, environmental, architectural and strategic standards that European Albania deserves? If so, it continues. If not, it does not continue," he said.

The Prime Minister also returned to verbal clashes with the protesters, but did not completely withdraw from the language used against them.

"If any of my words have hurt sincere people who protest for nature, I say without a problem: I'm sorry. But I refuse to equate sincere citizens with mud factories, anonymous accounts, slanderers and hysteria producers," Rama said.

The Prime Minister acknowledged that some of the criticism of the government is related to real problems, citing pensions, healthcare, and legal uncertainty.

"Pensions are still low. Healthcare has open wounds. Young people demand more and they have the right," Rama said.

Regarding the protesters' demand for his resignation, Rama said that in a democracy, the decision is made by institutions and citizens through a vote.

"Resignations are not decided by megaphones, but by institutions and citizens by vote. Whoever thinks they should leave has the right to organize, compete and win the elections," he said.

Regarding the impact of the protests on the European integration process, Rama said that a society that protests is not a threat to democracy.

"A country where people protest freely is a democratic country, not a dangerous country. What would harm the European process would be replacing the rule of law with street pressure," Rama declared.