TIRANA, Oct 24 /ATA/ – Prime Minister Edi Rama said on Saturday that he had been listening to protesters gathered outside his office for four months, referring to a group known as the “Flamingos”, but claimed they had never presented any concrete demands.
Speaking at the Prime Minister’s Office, alongside Interior Minister Ervin Demo, Rama said some protesters wanted dialogue but were afraid of one another.
“I have been listening to the protesters outside my office for four months. I have listened more than anyone else and as much as they have listened to one another, to everything they have said, because I have been in the corridors of my office while they have been downstairs swearing, insulting and threatening. They have never said anything concrete or made any concrete demands, and have consistently refused to sit down and talk,” Rama said.
The government head added that he had communicated with some protesters by text message and telephone and had invited them to engage in dialogue. According to Rama, they wanted to talk but feared being branded traitors or facing repercussions from fellow protesters.
“I have said that I do not intend to make public the text message exchanges I have had with several of those gathered outside. I have also spoken to them by phone and invited them to talk. They have been characterised by fear of one another. They want to talk, but they are afraid of one another; afraid of being branded traitors and of subsequently suffering the consequences of violence by others,” Rama said.
He accused a group of protesters of exerting psychological pressure on other demonstrators, linking them to a group he described as “antifa” and to a figure whom he said was known for advocating violence. Rama also alleged that people with criminal tendencies had taken part in the protests and influenced other participants.
Rama said he was convinced that testimonies from protesters themselves would emerge in the coming days and months, once they had freed themselves from what he described as pressure and the influence of organisers behind an “ugly Balkan revolution”.
The prime minister also claimed that forces opposed to Albania’s progress were behind the protests.
“This much is certain, at the very least,” Rama concluded.
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