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Der Spiegel: Albania faces protests, government grants millions of euros to Kanye West

Politiko 2026-07-09 16:48:19

Der Spiegel: Albania faces protests, government grants millions of euros to

The prestigious German media outlet Der Spiegel has dedicated an article to the Albanian government's decision not to cancel Kanye West's concert in Tirana, despite the protests and public debate that accompanied its organization.

According to German media, the executive led by Edi Rama has decided to finance more than four million euros for the construction of a temporary arena, arguing that the event is expected to bring thousands of foreign visitors and significant economic benefits to the country.

According to German media, both Rama and West have been attracting attention through provocations for years. 

Full article: 

Edi Rama and Kanye West are no strangers to harsh public reactions. Both have known for years to attract attention through provocations, but over time this skill has become a burden. Today, tens of thousands of citizens are protesting against Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, accusing him of corruption, authoritarianism and excessive proximity to Donald Trump. Kanye West, also known for a period as Ye, has become unwanted in many countries due to his anti-Semitic statements.

Millions of euros for a temporary arena
Now the paths of the two figures cross. On Saturday, Kanye West is expected to hold a concert on the outskirts of Tirana. Edi Rama's government intends to make more than four million euros available for its organization, including the construction of a temporary arena. Despite domestic political pressure, the authorities continue to support the project.

According to Rama, the government approved the fund only "at the last minute" so as not to put Albania in a difficult position in front of the nearly 25,000 foreign visitors who had already purchased tickets. Many of them were afraid that the concert would be canceled. The Prime Minister added that visitors from about 80 countries around the world are expected, who will travel to Albania specifically for the West concert.

Government promises revenue of "at least" 100 million euros
According to Rama, the concert is expected to bring at least 100 million euros in revenue to the Albanian economy. He stressed that accommodation reservations have increased significantly in the run-up to the event.

The prime minister has been promoting Albania internationally for years to attract investment and political support for the once isolated country on the Adriatic coast. However, many of the protesters, mostly young, accuse him of selling out the country's interests. At the center of the debate is a project to build a luxury resort by Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, inside a protected natural area.

Whether the multi-billion dollar project will go ahead as planned remains unclear. Compared to that, the temporary arena for Kanye West's concert has a clear advantage: it can be built quickly and, after the concert, dismantled just as quickly.

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