The European Parliament’s Permanent Rapporteur for Albania, Andreas Schieder (Socialists & Democrats, Austria), delivered a strong appeal to political actors in Albania to elevate their political culture and refrain from violent or dramatic tactics, emphasizing dialogue and constructive debate as the way forward.
Speaking to journalists in Tirana on January 30, 2026, Schieder addressed ongoing political tensions, referencing recent protests that included the use of Molotov cocktails. He argued that such methods do not contribute positively to a democratic process and urged politicians on all sides — both government and opposition — to engage in debate with solid arguments instead of resorting to confrontational imagery and tactics.
“Democracy with Molotov cocktails is not good,” Schieder said, noting that media representations of protests often appear more dramatic than the situation on the ground. He stressed that Albania’s political institutions have space for debate and that politicians should focus on substantive discussions rather than dramatization.
Schieder also reiterated the importance of Albania’s ongoing European Union integration process, pointing out that over 90% of Albanian citizens support EU membership. He said that political unity and maturity — shown through reasoned discussion and effective cooperation — would send a stronger signal to European partners about Albania’s readiness to align with EU standards.
In his remarks, the rapporteur highlighted the need for balanced political engagement and reminded officials that the political culture in Albania must evolve in ways that reflect the aspirations of its people and democratic norms.