The Serbian outlet “Telegraf” has described Zohran Mamdani, the newly elected Mayor of New York, as a “lobbyist for Greater Albania” after a photograph surfaced showing him making the Albanian double-headed eagle hand gesture — a traditional symbol of Albanian identity and unity.
The photo, widely circulated on social media, has sparked an exaggerated reaction from Serbian media, which portrayed the gesture as evidence of Albanian nationalist lobbying.
In response, Albanian-American journalist Ruben Avxhiu, based in the United States, sharply criticized the claims, calling them “a symptom of incurable paranoia.”
“Paranoia is an incurable disease. According to the Serbian Telegraf, Zohran Mamdani, the new mayor of New York, is a lobbyist for ‘Greater Albania.’ What can you do with such people?” wrote Avxhiu on social media.
Mamdani, known for his progressive political stance and support for immigrant communities, has not commented on the controversy. However, observers note that the Serbian media’s reaction reflects long-standing nationalist sensitivities in the Balkans whenever Albanian symbols appear in public discourse.
