In Albania, the very europhile election campaign of an increasingly autocratic Prime Minister – Liberation
Under a generous spring sun, thousands of sympathizers from the Socialist Party come together in a circle on the immense central place of Tirana. A star -shaped platform has been installed, and small blue flags from the European Union carrying the slogan « Albania 2030 » float above the crowd. « With Albanian red and black, I distribute the European flag, because this is our goal for this next mandate: we will join Europe and become the first EU country in the alphabetical orderEnthuses Maris, 35, pennants in her hands. The Albanians want with all my heart to be part of the EU. ”
Approaching May 11 legislative elections, Albanian folk dances are out, but Europe is at the heart of socialist meetings. Even after more than three decades of waiting and a candidate status Obtained by the country in 2014, the Albanian company still dreams of the European passport. « To integrate Europe is the most important thing for us, Ensures Tea, a 30 -year -old merchant. It’s been a long time since we are waiting for this membership … It will bring us economic development because we are a small country. We hope for a decision in 2027, and a membership in 2030. ”
In recent months, the Pays des Balkans is a good student of the EU. Tirana has opened several chapters of his membership procedure, and Emmanuel Macron to Ursula von der Leyen via Giorgia Meloni, European leaders display their sympathies for the very Eurosthile Prime Minister of Albanians. In power since 2013, Edi Rama, 60, aligned Albania on the geostrategic positions of Brussels With firm support for Ukrainelaunched reforms in administration and economics, and transformed this former Stalinist dictatorship into a fashionable tourist destination.
But this close to Erdogan is also clearly criticized for his authoritarianism, and his first three mandates were marked by the abuses of power and large -scale corruption scandals involving his ministers. Controversies that Vilip Alushi sweeps: « Edi Rama does not need to fly since he has already been in power for twelve years, estimates this 42-year-old activist from the northeast of the country. The others in the opposition want to fly again, and Albania will not advance with them. While we have to continue to move forward. Edi Rama has revived Albania! And Europe recognizes our progress. » Cap on the head and sweater decorated with a European star during his meetings, the strong man in the country multiplies messages for Brussels. Adored, feared or hated in Albania, Rama remains the main actor of a shocking democracy, and he should without too much difficulty win a majority of the 140 seats.
On the opposition side, whose principal chief, Sali Berisha, 80, was himself assigned a year under house arrest for corruption and whitening, red balls are drawn on the head of government and his party, accused of having transformed the country of the Eagles into « Narco-State ». And, in Balkans always perceived in the prism of nationalist tensions, we deplore the strategy of the « stabilocracy » of European leaders, with their tacit support for Edi Rama.
« Europeans are afraid that Albania will become a source of instability for the whole region, it’s as simple as that, Akil Kraja analysis, candidate of the Democratic Party (PD), the conservative opposition. But we cannot integrate the EU with blackmail! Corruption in Albania is a gangrene, cancer: more than 50 billion euros have been diverted in international laundering patterns, with government corruption which reaches terrifying levels! ”
According to European policies, the Albanian gangs have become in a few years major players in international expansion cocaine trafficking, and Tirana A Mecca for money laundering, especially through the construction industry. Albanian justice has also arrested several political figures suspected of corruption in recent months, including the mayor of the capital, considered as the Prime Minister’s dolphin, in prison since February 10.
« In terms of scandals, this government has exceeded all limitslaments Augustine, 36, an unemployed person from Shkodra to attend the PD meeting. Look at the mayor of Tirana, the number two of the PS! He stole three million euros. Rama has the support of criminal groups who are known and wanted in Europe, that’s why people emigrate. My brother and my sister left … I only stayed here. All my friends left for Europe for a better life. ”
Despite a certain increase in the standard of living, economic insecurity and corruption hit the 2.4 million Albanian hard. In 2022 and 2023 alone, 100,000 people left the country according to Eurostat, and more than half of the population is living abroad today.
