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Prime Minister Edi Rama gave an interview to German journalists from "Zeit Magazin", Stephan Lebert and Stefan Willeke, where he was asked about sensitive and often controversial topics in Albanian politics.
One of the most direct questions was about drug use, to which Rama responded by linking it to the opposition's constant accusations and personal attacks against him.
“ I have been accused of everything – homosexual, bisexual, rapist and drug dealer. All this nonsense was shouted at rallies, written in newspapers, spread on the internet – all lies. Followed by electoral defeats of those who created these monstrosities. I am used to them, but my family has suffered a lot, ” Rama said, adding that the claim that he had used drugs is just one of the baseless accusations leveled against him.
Part of the interview was also Rama's relationship with the media and journalists, where he stated that he respects independent journalism, but not necessarily all journalists. " I admire independent journalism. But do I like all journalists? No. However, I know how terrible the world is without journalists. Therefore, I am not their problem, " Rama said.
-Some experts who study the structures of international criminal gangs believe that every European government today must address organized crime. Do you see it that way?
We are fighting organised crime like never before, and this is recognised by all the relevant authorities, but the accusations keep coming, and they are different. The opposition in Parliament has already accused me of all sorts of things, such as being gay and bisexual – which I am not. Apparently, they are also convinced that I am a rapist.
…and drug dealer…
Oh yes, "drug trafficking" is still the most romantic accusation.
-Have you ever taken drugs?
Well, okay. That wouldn't even be the worst. I must have used violence against my mother and my wife. My son is supposed to be my father's son.
All this nonsense was shouted at rallies, written in newspapers, spread both offline and online – all lies. Followed by electoral defeats of those who created these monstrosities. I am used to them, but my family has suffered greatly.
-Do you like journalists?
Do I like journalists? A very general question. I admire independent journalism. But do I like all journalists? No. However, I know how terrible the world is without journalists. Therefore, I am not their problem at all. My problem lies elsewhere: Many years ago, I published my views in the only independent newspaper in Albania, risking my life to do so. That newspaper was burned down. So, I belonged to the journalism camp and I know how important this is.
But some Albanian journalists didn’t see me that way when I spoke about the major shortcomings of the media. They only saw my power, not my arguments. They shouted at the “autocrat” who harasses the media. I gave up opposing them or talking about them a long time ago.
-You have excluded individual journalists from your press conferences.
We have only twice prevented someone from taking over the entire press conference, when they were talking endlessly into the microphone.
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