 |
| By Paul Lendvai |
The Albanians were and are unpredictable and always underestimated element in the Balkans policy of the European Union and the great powers. In view of the strategically important location of Albania, the Republic of Kosovo and North Macedonia, the explosive force of Albanian nationalism remains a first-class uncertainty factor for the neighboring countries. That is why blocking the opening of EU accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania has raised legitimate concerns in the region. Albin Kurti recently took office as Prime Minister in Kosovo. The 44-year-old former left-wing activist and nationalist rebel now he promises a moderate course, but without compromises on fundamental issues.
What all knowledgeable observers emphasize almost unanimously is his reputation as an absolutely incorruptible politician. It remains to be seen whether the promised "new era" will last. What is certain is that not only in Kosovo, but also in neighboring Albania, it is not - as is often assumed - the nostalgia for a "Greater Albania" that shapes political events, but the struggle for the rule of law and against corruption. The conversations I had in Tirana and other cities in Albania these days left the impression of a very fragile state.
The Socialist Prime Minister Edi Rama, a well-known painter who has ruled for five years, should owe his reputation primarily to his international artistic network and his talent for rhetoric. His sporadic nationalist tones (he proposed a joint president for Albania and Kosovo) should be taken less seriously than the critically portrayed image of political felt in the judicial institutions and of political degeneration due to the enormous influence of the drug cartels in Albania.
Tragicomedy
The fact that the spokesmen for the Democratic Party, who are boycotting Parliament and the elections for the time being, describe the promised screening of judges and prosecutors as a tragic comedy and condemn the self-service government cannot, however, hide the fact that, through decades of political abuse, the judiciary and the judiciary entire public administration has already been badly damaged. Nevertheless, even the harshest critics of the Rama government emphasize that negotiations with the European Union should be started. International society would have to do everything to increase pressure on the government and support the change that has begun.
I am one of the few commentators who experienced the most ruthless dictatorship in Europe since World War II, namely the murderous regime of Enver Hoxha and were able to show it to the audience and readers. I did that at the time of the bloody settlement of Miloševic, Mladic and Karadžic with the Kosovo Albanians.
The astonishing resilience of the Albanian people against authoritarian tendencies today requires understanding, help, and solidarity from international society in view of the enormous challenges./ Source: DerStandard