Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has hit back at calls for his resignation, declaring unwavering support for the new justice system while defending the integrity of his government.
In a bold video message on his social media show “Sy m’sy,” Rama addressed a comment demanding his moral accountability for officials facing corruption charges. His response? A resounding no.
“The people decide through votes,” Rama fired back. “Since taking office, they’ve placed their trust in me nine times. And on May 11, they will do so for the tenth time, with our best result yet.”
Rama defended his administration’s landmark judicial reform, insisting that for the first time in history, justice operates independently without political interference.
“Justice must do its job freely,” he said. “We do not act as defense lawyers for anyone.”
A crackdown, but not a witch hunt
Addressing allegations of widespread corruption, Rama pushed back.
“Not everyone is a thief,” he stated. Out of 60 ministers over three terms, only two from his first mandate have been convicted, while others face ongoing investigations.
“Before justice reform, cases like these would have been covered up,” he said, contrasting today’s iron-willed approach to fighting impunity with past practices of shielding the powerful.
But Rama also warned against trial by media, stressing that justice must be fair, not a spectacle.
“A thief is someone convicted with proof, not just someone publicly lynched,” he asserted.
Election stakes: justice on the line
With May 11 elections approaching, Rama turned his sights on opponents who, he claims, want to dismantle the Special Prosecution Office (SPAK).
“They will never get the votes to do that,” he vowed, calling on Albanians to back justice, not destroy it.
As Albania pushes for EU membership by 2030, Rama insisted the country needs a system where independence in justice doesn’t turn into lawlessness.
“History teaches us everything,” Rama said. “The question is: Do we want to learn?”
