FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
Rama posts endlessly about the government's achievements, his international meetings, and his interactions with the public, while Berisha uses the platforms to broadcast press conferences and his campaign events...
Although the campaign for the May 11 elections has not yet officially begun, the constituent entities in the process have been holding meetings and presenting their respective programs for weeks. But what attracts attention are the jokes at a distance that are exchanged from time to time between politicians, without leaving aside the respective accusations. Edi Rama, Lulzim Basha and Sali Berisha, at a distance, use labels to mock each other, a situation that has also attracted the attention of international media.
In an analysis of what is happening in Albania on the eve of the official launch of the campaign, IntellNews highlights 'Bufi' as the figure being placed at the center of this campaign.
In an ongoing war of words, Prime Minister Edi Rama and opposition leader Sali Berisha have used the bird as a metaphorical weapon to mock each other.
Rama, a frequent user of social media to push his message, has posted a series of videos featuring owls, which he presents in Berisha's voice. In a message in early March, Rama mocked Democratic Party leader Berisha's call to boycott classes and protest against the government's ban on the social network TikTok, calling him a "marsh owl."
"The swamp owl calls on children to protest the closure of TikTok and asks parents to protest for TikTok. This is the swamp of the opposition and its philosophy," said Rama.
As Rama's mockery continued, on March 28, Berisha appeared at his press conference with an owl. He told reporters that the owl was a symbol of intelligence and wisdom. The white owl, he said, was not just a bird - it represented knowledge and decision-making power in Ancient Greece and Rome, embodied by the goddesses Athena and Minerva.
"You cannot insult me by calling me an owl," Berisha declared. "The owl has been a symbol of wisdom, knowledge and decision for millennia. And Edi Rama thinks he can insult me by calling me an owl? Ignorance is not an argument," he stressed.
Rama quickly retorted. "What did you say today? 'I am an owl'? It's a good start that you admitted it. An owl is good in its habitat, but not this two-legged owl that turned Albania into a swamp," Rama said.
On Facebook, where Rama has 1.6 million followers to Berisha's 1.1 million, the exchange has prompted both amusement and criticism. Some have laughed at the bird references, while others have condemned the lack of seriousness in the electoral debate - or the implied insult to owls.
One Facebook user commented: "In my opinion, this offends owls. Berisha is a snake."
Others criticized Rama for the level of debate: "Poor thing! This is how the prime minister mocks!" wrote one Facebook user, while another asked Rama to turn his attention to more serious topics: "You are not asking for votes for the veterinarian... The people are asking for water, electricity, roads and health centers."
Social media is already being used well for elections in Albania.
Both political leaders have significant followings on platforms like Facebook and Instagram, and they have used these channels to circumvent the restrictions they face in traditional media.
Rama posts endlessly about the government's achievements, his international meetings, and his interactions with the public, while Berisha uses the platforms to broadcast his press conferences and campaign events.
Social media has been at the center of political debate recently, when Rama's government imposed a 1-year ban on TikTok, citing the need to protect children from harmful content following the death of a 14-year-old following a fight that started on social media.
Critics argue that the move was designed to hinder the opposition's ability to get their message across to voters via TikTok ahead of the May elections.
Berisha and his Democratic Party protested the ban in mid-March, although local media reports said turnout was relatively low. Journalists and human rights groups have also criticized the TikTok ban, arguing that the decision infringes on freedom of speech and limits political expression ahead of elections.
Rama's Socialist Party has been in power since 2013 and is seeking another term in general elections in May. The Democrats want to return to power, but the party's chances have been damaged by an internal struggle, as well as US and UK sanctions on its leader, Sali Berisha. /Pamphlet/
Lini një Përgjigje