Albanian PM meeting with Albanian diaspora in Thessaloniki draws Greek ultranationalist protest

Edi Rama, the Prime Minister of Albania, is set to meet with the Albanian community in Thessaloniki, Greece, this Sunday, in what promises to be a significant event for the Albanian diaspora. Meanwhile, Greek ultranationalists are organizing a counter-protest outside the Porto Palace Hotel, where the meeting will take place, raising security and diplomatic concerns.

Why is this important: Relations between Greece and Albania have been strained in recent years, largely due to the arrest of Fredi Beleri, the mayoral candidate for the municipality of Himara. Although Beleri was arrested in flagrante for buying votes, the incident has been framed by some as an example of repression against the Greek minority in Albania. This narrative has exacerbated tensions, with Greek officials frequently voicing concerns over the rights of their ethnic minority in Albania.

Context: Beleri himself is a polarizing figure. He has previously been accused of being affiliated with an extreme nationalist Greek group that, in 1994, attacked an Albanian military post, killing two unarmed soldiers. This history adds a layer of complexity to the ongoing political disputes and contributes to the deep-rooted mistrust between the two countries.

The planned counter-protest, led by Dimitris Valasidis, a known Greek ultranationalist, raises fears of potential clashes. Valasidis has previously participated in protests promoting the “Northern Epirus” cause, and it remains unclear whether Greek authorities will implement security measures to prevent any incidents. During Rama’s meeting in Athens on May 12, a significant police presence was required to ensure the event went off without disruption.

Rama’s “Proud for Albania” Tour: Edi Rama kicked off his tour on May 12 in Athens, sparking controversy among Greek officials. They accused him of using the meeting to influence the European Parliament elections, potentially swaying votes against Prime Minister Mitsotakis’s party. The presence of Fredi Beleri, then in detention for alleged vote-buying, intensified Greek concerns, as he was featured on Rama’s candidate list.

Despite the backlash, the Athens gathering proceeded without incident and drew a crowd of around 10,000 Albanians living in Greece.

What’s next: The meeting holds particular importance for the Socialist Party and the Albanian diaspora, as it comes at a time when emigrants will be able to vote from abroad for the first time. In a recent speech in New York on October 26, Rama called on the diaspora to support him in securing a fourth term, promising reforms that would make Albania a member of the European Union within five years.