Slug: rama-berisha-tiktok-protest
#Albania #TikTokBan #PoliticalTensions
TIRANA (Reporteri) – Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has once again mocked the opposition’s planned protest against the TikTok ban, scheduled for Saturday, March 15.
In a Facebook post under his regular segment “Ç’kemi”, Rama ridiculed Sali Berisha, referring to him as “the Swamp Owl”, for calling on students to boycott school and urging parents to join their children in protesting against the government’s decision to ban the popular social media platform.
Rama’s Criticism of the Opposition
“The Swamp Owl is telling children to protest TikTok’s shutdown by skipping school, and urging parents to stand with them—against education! This is the state of our opposition, a swamp where its leader lurks on the balcony while turning its followers into political reptiles and media insects, constantly poisoning the political and media debate,” Rama wrote.
The Prime Minister justified the government’s TikTok ban, claiming that 95% of teachers supported the move, citing concerns about the app’s impact on students. He dismissed accusations that the decision was an attack on freedom of speech, explaining that the delay in enforcing the ban was purely due to technical constraints.
TikTok Ban Sparks Political Debate
The move has sparked criticism from the opposition, with the Democratic Party (PD) accusing the government of restricting free expression. However, Rama dismissed these claims, calling Berisha’s call to protest a sign of dangerous political delirium.
The debate over TikTok’s impact has gained traction in Albania, with some educators and officials warning about its negative effects on youth and education, while opposition leaders argue that banning the platform infringes on digital freedoms.
