A day after students rejected dialogue with Prime Minister Edi Rama, the head of government once again placed chairs on the steps of the prime minister’s office this Wednesday, with a sign reading “Dialogue.”
Rama said the right to protest is unquestionable, but stressed that every concern should be addressed through dialogue, not acts of violence.
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Despite facing violence the previous day, he remains open to dialogue with those who think differently from him and from the majority.
“There are 1,001 grievances, hardships and problems, and there may also be 1,001 reasons to protest, but no reason justifies violence. Every reason is another argument for dialogue—for dialogue between people who share the same homeland, between people who want the same thing: to make Albania better. The right to protest is unquestionable; violence is a punishable crime. Yesterday, dialogue was met with violence. Today, dialogue is here again. My hand is extended to those who think differently from me and from the majority, which has been terrorized under the pressure of violence. But anything we seek to do better, more and faster can be achieved through work, using the income earned through work and directing that income to the problems that need solutions,” Rama said.
Despite his invitation to dialogue, Rama again attacked the young people, calling them perpetrators of violence and warning them of legal and financial consequences.
“Distance yourselves from violence. Every perpetrator of violence will face a response. The response will not be delayed and will be consistent; it will be legal and financial. Anyone who damages public property will pay; anyone who damages someone else’s property will pay. No one’s freedom can extend into the freedom of others, and no one’s rights can be imposed where others have the right to live under the shared sky of democratic and peaceful coexistence,” Rama said.
