Former Italian Prime Minister and leader of the Italia Viva party, Matteo Renzi, has criticized the agreement between Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni regarding the migrant camp in Gjadër. In an interview with Euronews Albania, Renzi described the deal as a "favor" intended to support Meloni ahead of the upcoming European elections.
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| Matteo Renzi in a public speech in Gjadër, Lezhë |
When asked whether Meloni would return the favor by supporting Rama in Albania’s general elections on May 11, Renzi expressed skepticism.
“I don’t know, because I believe it is right for Albanians to vote for their own Prime Minister. I do not want to interfere, and I believe Meloni feels the same way. Besides, I must say that lately, Meloni has brought a bit of bad luck. In Poland, her candidate lost. In Spain, her ally from the Vox party lost. In the UK, she supported Rishi Sunak, but Keir Starmer won. In my opinion, she brings bad luck. I wouldn’t seek Giorgia’s endorsement,” said the Italian senator.
Renzi’s comments highlight the controversial nature of the migrant camp agreement, which has faced criticism from both Albanian and Italian opposition figures. The deal, announced in 2023, allows Italy to process asylum seekers in Albania, a move widely seen as a political maneuver ahead of the European Parliament elections.
With Albania's elections approaching, the dynamics between Meloni and Rama remain a subject of speculation. However, Renzi’s remarks suggest that international endorsements might not be as beneficial as some leaders hope.