Democratic Party Deputy Edi Paloka has been the latest to accuse civil society protestors of being paid or influenced by political forces, just as protests start again over increasing fuel, energy and food prices.
Protests have been ongoing over the last few weeks as citizens protest the increasing prices of fuel, energy, and food. They claim prices are being inflated artificially, and the government is failing to manage it accordingly. The various demonstrations that have taken place around the country have been the largest non-partisan protest in recent years.
Prime Minister Edi Rama as accused protestors of bringing shame on Albania and hinted they have been influenced by Russia and “serve the Kremlin”. He even went so far as to suggest the European Commission and chief diplomat Josep Borrell shared the same sentiment, something that was swiftly denied by a spokesperson.
Paloka has now joined the realms of conspiracy theorists and accused citizens of being paid by Prime Minister Edi Rama. Posting on Facebook, he threatened activists to leave the protest and said they were collaborating with the government.
He continued that there are certain groups within the protestors who are placed there to “extinguish the protests”.
Activists were quick to respond with Doriana Musai saying “the protest is not a property of the party, but it is a weapon of democracy.”
“Mr. Paloka should listen more and speak less,” she added.
Representatives from Organizata Politike who are also taking part in the protests said Paolka is attempting to extinguish the spirit of the protests. He also gave instances where the PD did not support some civil protests and sided with “oligarchs” instead.
“Apparently this time the oligarchy is also using Edi Paloka to attack the protesters who have taken to the streets and are calling the truth ‘the state of Shefqet Kastrati and Samir Mane'”, Zoto wrote on the official Facebook page of the organisation.
Meanwhile, citizens gathered outside the prime minister’s office in central Tirana on Tuesday night. They criticised Rama for saying he could not intervene in the market, but then doing so while still failing to adequately protect citizens.
Fuel prices remain high despite a transparency board established to monitor them. The current rate for petrol and gas remains well inflated above the market price for the products. Citizens say this is to benefit businessmen like Kastrati who control the majority of the country’s fuel market.
Protests are expected to continue over the coming days.
