In his post, Rama said he was sharing the comment as a gesture of solidarity with the young woman, who, according to him, had been targeted online because of her opposition to the protest.

“I am posting this comment from this page as an expression of solidarity with a young woman from Vlora whom I do not know, but who has been brutally attacked online by crows hiding under flamingo feathers simply because she does not believe in the protest… RESPECT,” Rama wrote.

In her comment, the young woman expressed her disagreement with the protest, saying she does not understand its core purpose. She argued that young people have not shown the same level of engagement on other social issues, such as domestic violence or the rights of Albanian citizens imprisoned abroad.

She also highlighted what she considers positive changes that have taken place in Albania in recent years regarding wages, working conditions, security, and the functioning of the justice system, while expressing opposition to calls for the Prime Minister’s resignation.

Comment by the young woman from Vlora, shared by Prime Minister Edi Rama:

“To be honest, I do not understand the essence of this protest. The same young people who have risen up for flamingos—animals many of them have never even seen—are the same young people who do not lift a finger to demand tougher laws against domestic violence or to defend the rights of Albanian men imprisoned around the world. I remember the case of Ilia Kareli in a Greek prison, when only around 30 of us protested, while young people sat in cafés watching and laughing.

Yet now they react for flamingos and for Narta, a place many of them could not even locate on a map, and they are ready to start what they call a ‘REVOLUTION.’ They are demanding your resignation because ministers or mayors are being investigated by SPAK, but I have one question: who pushed for the creation of SPAK? During the Democratic Party’s time in power, even when video evidence surfaced, Berisha would fiercely defend those involved. I remember the handcuff scandal.

I started working in the public sector when the Democratic Party left office, earning 58,000 old lek. Today I earn 98,000. Of course there are still people facing serious economic hardship, but wages have changed, working conditions have improved year after year. We used to keep generators ready because the electricity would constantly go out. We were afraid to join protests because the entire state police force would show up in worn-out uniforms and beat protesters—or worse, repeat another January 21.

Drug trafficking, prostitution, and theft used to dominate the headlines without anyone being held accountable. Of course such problems still exist today, but at least we see criminals being prosecuted and punished by the law. At European Union meetings and international gatherings, Albania was poorly represented because neither Berisha nor his ministers were respected abroad.

So what exactly are people protesting today? Does this nation truly want to return to those times? And is it really the people who want this, or just individuals who claim to represent the people? I am part of the people too, but I do not think like them. I am part of the people, but I do not want your resignation. I am part of the people, but I do not insult others, I do not attack women for having different opinions, and I do not verbally abuse people simply because I disagree with their logic.

And yes, I want Narta—a place I know by heart because I am from Vlora—to receive a worthy investment and compete side by side with Greece, Italy, and other countries in tourism. I want the names of Narta and Vlora to be known everywhere.

How can I believe in change when a comment like this is followed by a thousand insults, curses, and attacks simply because it expresses a different opinion? We are called government supporters, servants, or even worse, prostitutes, just because we do not think the same way. How can this online bullying and verbal violence be acceptable simply because someone has a different opinion? Why should I respect their opinion while mine is met with insults and abuse?

Is this the safe Albania they talk about? A safe Albania begins with arguments, proposals, and constructive dialogue about what is best for the country.

When I see that one of the protest’s demands is tougher laws against domestic violence, justice for Albanian men imprisoned around the world whose mothers do not even know where they are, and an Albania where people can express opinions without fear of being insulted, then I will believe in this protest. Until I see something like that, I see no reason to protest.”