Prime Minister Edi Rama , in the Sy m'sy column, responded to a citizen, who commented by saying that "you all turned out to be thieves, resign."
The head of government stated that during his 12 years in power, only 2 ministers have been convicted, a former deputy prime minister on the run and a minister in detention.
"They all turned out to be thieves, you say, but there are some things that we really need to clarify," said Rama.
He then added: "In the first 3 terms I have had 60 ministers and so far 2 ministers from the first term, I don't remember, have been convicted, another is in detention who could very well be prosecuted in a free state, but he is not convicted and another, a former deputy prime minister who has fled to escape justice."
The Prime Minister stated that it is the result of an iron will not to obstruct justice.
Edi Rama: First of all, the people show their trust by voting, and since I came to this office and until today they have given me their trust 9 times, I assure you that they will give me their trust again on May 11 for the 10th time and with the best result out of the 10 times. Why do I have this conviction, precisely because this people does not think that I should resign because I led the independence of justice and paved the way for attacks at high levels, something that had never happened since 1912 and until we implemented the justice reform with the Socialist Party. The people expected this from the reform: the end of impunity, the end of a justice system where the law had power only over the weakest.
They all turned out to be thieves, you say, but that's not how it is, there are some things that we really need to clarify. First, in 3 mandates I have had 60 ministers and so far 2 ministers from the first mandate, I don't remember, have been convicted, another is in custody who could very well be prosecuted in a free state, but he has not been convicted and another, a former deputy prime minister who has fled to escape justice.
On the one hand, they are a reflection of an iron political will not to hinder justice from doing its independent work without looking left or right, and rest assured that without this will, it would never have happened.
On the other hand, by law and old Albanian custom, a thief is someone who is convicted with evidence, not someone who is convicted and stoned to death in a market without evidence. The same logic applies to some 250 mayors and deputies over the years. Some convicted, yes, true, but to say that they all turned out to be thieves is to join the chorus of the bleating of the political-media herd .