Edi Rama lashes out against opposition’s false claims about Secretary General of the Council of Ministers

Prime Minister Edi Rama reacted today harshly to opposition-fueled rumors that Engjëll Agaçi, Secretary General of the Council of Ministers, has fled the country and had his laptop seized by SPAK. He dismissed the claims as “low and unjust,” explaining that Agaçi has been absent due to serious health complications following heart surgery. Despite the lack of evidence, the allegations driven by Berisha have been widely discussed in the media, reflecting Albania’s long history of politically motivated disinformation.

Why is this important: Long before fake news became a major issue in the West, Albania had already proven to be a fertile ground for political rumors, with Berisha as one of its most prolific figures. Over the years, he has crafted narratives ranging from the plausible to the outright surreal—and the speculation about Agaçi is just the latest episode. Judicial authorities have not revealed any investigation into Agaçi or laptop seizure, yet the leader of the Democrats insists there is an arrest warrant against Agaçi. He claims that the warrant has not been executed because Agaçi has fled the country. This incident follows a pattern in Albanian politics where unverified claims dominate public debate, often without factual basis. The case also highlights how Albanian media treats speculation as fact, turning it into a prime-time discussion topic.

What did Rama say: Rama provided a detailed explanation of Agaçi’s medical condition, explaining that he is fighting for his life.

“He crossed the razor’s edge between life and death due to a blockage of coronary arteries, which required heart surgery. After the operation, he suffered a dramatic pulmonary failure. In other words, his lungs ceased to function, requiring mechanical ventilation. After a very difficult period in intensive care, where for days Italian doctors were unable to give any assurance that he would recover, he remains under medical supervision to rehabilitate his severely damaged lungs.”

Despite an official statement two weeks ago about Agaçi’s treatment abroad, the opposition and certain media outlets continue to present the case as a political scandal. Rama criticized the spread of false narratives:

“The sick man fighting for his life abroad has been turned into ground meat for the gossip mills of nightclubs and television screens here, simply because he became prey for the swamp owl [Berisha], a well-known and infamous character—the greatest liar ever born on Albanian soil, the most ruthless violator in our country’s history of every custom, every law, and every human norm.”

Berisha doubles down: Despite the lack of evidence, Berisha has continued making accusations, demanding proof of Agaçi’s whereabouts while failing to provide any evidence to back his own claims. Following Rama’s comments, he doubled down:

“He has disappeared for a month, they won’t reveal the hospital or clinic, and instead, photos emerge from Rome showing him sitting in cafés.”

Berisha has alleged that Agaçi’s absence is linked to the so-called incinerator scandal and that he is avoiding justice with Rama’s protection. However, judicial authorities have never claimed that Agaçi is under investigation. However, the accusations continue despite the fact that there is no evidence.

What’s next: Agaçi has served as Secretary General since Edi Rama assumed office in 2013 and has frequently been a target of opposition criticism. Most recently, he has been accused of illegally signing documents related to incinerator contracts, though he has never been formally charged. With the March 3 coalition registration deadline approaching, and if past elections are any indication, such rumors and attacks are likely to persist and escalate.