Rama

“Today, Edi Rama realized more than ever that I ask my questions without being influenced by anyone”

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a temple Monday that embodies the triumph of his muscular Hindu nationalist politics, galvanising loyalists in an unofficial start to his re-election campaign this year.

Perparim Rama's victory in Pristina's mayoral election caps a remarkable homecoming for the London-based architect. But can he apply his expertise to remedy the city's unruly expansion?

Albania PM Edi Rama (right) and the EU Ambassador in Tirana Luigi Soreca in Tirana, October 20, 2020. Photo: LSA

He chose a well-respected professional lawyer and an equally respected scientist, both from civil society, to head his Socialist Party list.

Today, neither of those women is part of parliament. Rama, the so-called "women-promoter" and "gender champion", ditched both of them.

He brought them in and escorted them out. It was all a personal decision done for personal gain.

Un-exposed, a hard-hitting TV talk show that featured Albania's four leading journalists, was also shut down after criticizing Rama. A number of other TV talk shows, newspapers, and online platforms critical of Rama are under attack from the government. With little legal recourse, these shows are in the process of shutting down.

Abanian Prime Minister Edi Rama at his party headquarters in June. Photo: Gent Shkullaku/LSA

However, Irfan Hysenbelliu, the owner of News 24, a local station based in Tirana, denied he was pressured by the government, while Rama's office called the allegations "fake news".

Political analysts in Tirana said they believe that internationally-mediated negotiations between the government and the opposition are needed to defuse the crisis as the country heads for parliamentary elections on June 18.

Since February 18, the opposition Democratic Party led by Lulzim Basha have been protesting in Tirana.

Ahead of parliamentary elections in June, Prime Minister Edi Rama has been taking to Facebook to say he will help people to find jobs, but he hasn't delivered on his employment promise from the previous polls four years ago, economic experts told BIRN.

Albania's Minister of Justice, Ylli Manjani - from the junior coalition party, the Socialist Movement for Integration, LSI - has accused Prime Minister Edi Rama of sacking him for speaking out against corruption.