The real dirt that we must remove from Albania's image

6 Nëntor 2022, 06:00Op-Ed TEMA
The real dirt that we must remove from Albania's image

Edi Rama’s battle to convince his opponents “not to speak badly about Albania” is a lost cause. Furthermore, this kind of battle does not make much sense in a country like Albania, where power struggles have often included much more serious episodes than simply racism towards our own country. Therefore, this is a battle not worth to be fought, since it looks as if the Prime Minister is using patriotism as a way of avoiding attacks from his opponents.

However, there is a much more important aspect than Ilir Meta’s stance in the name of the opposition and that is the fact that the opposition is being represented by Meta, since Sali Berisha is designated as non-grata. Imagine for a moment if Berisha was not under any sanctions by the United States and Great Britain under accusations of corruption, connections to criminal groups and blackmailing the justice system. Most likely he would be the first person to be interviewed by the British media. Furthermore, upon hearing Berisha’s interviews and Meta’s statements, Edi Rama would think that the latter was a member of the Socialist Party’s leadership.

This is perhaps the most serious news regarding the mud thrown against Albanians and in our effort not to allow getting dirty as a nation. One of the most horrendous politicians of the last thirty years in this country is now considered dead to the West. He is not interviewed, quoted and above all, is unwanted by the West and its media. Instead now we have Ilir Meta trying to replace Berisha, as much as he can without losing his sanity.

Therefore, there is no point to debate if the opposition should or should not blame Albania as long as it is in its political interest do so. We cannot expect Ilir Meta to save Albania when he is convinced that, by attacking the country he can harm Edi Rama as well. Meanwhile, it is important to notice how the West is struggling to find a credible voice from the Albanian opposition and, having failed to find one; it has ended up at Ilir Meta’s door. This is our true problem and the dirt that we have to clean ourselves off of. As for racism and xenophobia, it is something that every small and poor country has had to suffer.

When it comes to the real mud that has covered our opposition, it is our responsibility as a society to clean it. First and foremost, it is the responsibility of the opposition’s supporters and then for the entire society. Look at how Sali Bersha cries and moans, ignored from the inside of Democratic Party’s headquarters, and you shall realize what the real dirt that we must clean ourselves off of is.

 

Lini një Përgjigje