Solidarity with Albanian Youth
STATEMENT OF THE EUROPEAN LEFT
The «Flamingo Revolution» in Albania is no longer an isolated local protest; it demonstrates that the new generation in the Balkans is fully aligned with the European wave of dissent, in which the green and social justice constitute one and the same struggle.
The Party of the European Left (EL) declares its unyielding solidarity with the tens of thousands of Albanian students, youth, families and people who are currently being brutally repressed by the riot police of Prime Minister Edi Rama’s self-proclaimed «socialist» government. After more than 140 days of peaceful protests that have been overlooked by the European media, this brutal repression seeks to silence them.
The Party of European Socialists (PES) turns a blind eye to protect their political ally Rama, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praises the regime for the sake of “geopolitical stability.”
The European Left chooses to stand on the right side of history. We will not sacrifice human rights, social and climate justice for geopolitical convenience. Therefore, we officially commit our political family to immediate, concrete actions: We formally condemn the Albanian authorities’ brutal use of force and demand the immediate release of all political detainees of the Flamingo movement. We demand an immediate accountability check on the EU Growth Plan funds being sent to Tirana. EU taxpayers’ money must not subsidize democracy’s suppression.
We will establish direct contact with independent civil society organizations on the ground – such as Civic Resistance (Qendresa Qytetare) as well as with with Lëvizja Bashkë (Togheter Mouvement) – to provide them with political cover, international visibility, and unwavering solidarity.
The fight of Albania’s youth against oligarchy, austerity, and authoritarianism is a collective European fight. We call on all progressive forces, trade unions, and student movements across the continent to join their voices with ours.