TIRANA, Albania — October 22, 2026 — The escalating protests against Prime Minister Edi Rama’s government have drawn attention from the French press, with political science professor Christian Lequesne arguing in Le Figaro that the European Union must demand greater accountability from Tirana over corruption.
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In an opinion piece titled “Faced with Unrest in Albania, It Is Time for the European Union to Assume Its Responsibilities,” Lequesne, a professor at Sciences Po, says Albania’s European integration process must be linked to concrete progress in fighting corruption.
According to his analysis, Brussels should make clear to Rama’s government that support for Albania’s EU membership ambitions cannot be separated from the country’s obligations to strengthen democratic institutions and tackle corruption. The message, he argues, must go beyond general statements supporting enlargement and include specific demands for results.
Four Months of Peaceful Protests Before Escalation
Lequesne also examines the evolution of the demonstrations in Tirana. He notes that the recent escalation followed approximately four months of peaceful protests, with young people, including highly educated urban residents, playing a prominent role in the movement.
His commentary comes amid demonstrations demanding Rama’s resignation and raising concerns about corruption, political accountability and the country’s European future. The unrest has included clashes, property damage and confrontations with police, according to media reports.
The professor also compares the Albanian protests with demonstrations in France, while highlighting differences between the two movements.
EU Enlargement and Accountability
At the heart of Lequesne’s argument is the responsibility of European institutions and member states. He contends that condemning violence and destruction should be accompanied by a clear message to the government: progress toward EU membership must go hand in hand with credible efforts to reduce corruption and strengthen the rule of law.
His intervention adds to the international debate over how the EU should respond to Albania’s political crisis while continuing its enlargement process.
The central question is whether Brussels will use the leverage of EU accession to press Rama’s government for measurable reforms, rather than relying solely on declarations of support for Albania’s European aspirations.
Source: Christian Lequesne’s opinion piece published in the French newspaper Le Figaro, October 21, 2026.