MEP: Blaming young Albanians for being influenced by the outside just because they are showing their bitterness about corruption is an insult
tidings
Express Newspaper
18/10/2026 22:10
MEP Rihards Kols has criticized the Albanian authorities for the police response to the protesters, saying that students and minors are facing rubber bullets, tear gas and stun grenades, while journalists are being attacked while on duty.
In a reaction on platform X, Kols said that Albania presents itself in Brussels as a reliable ally of NATO and a country at the forefront of the European Union membership process, but that the actions of the police in the country, according to him, contradict democratic values.
He emphasized that NATO and the EU rely on the rule of law and respect for citizens.
Kols has also disputed claims of foreign interference as an explanation for Albanian youth’s anger at corruption and impunity. He demanded the investigation of every case of police violence, stressing that Albanian citizens should have the opportunity to decide for themselves about their future.
Full post:
Albania is presented in Brussels as a reliable NATO ally and as one of the leading countries in the EU membership process. In the country, the police meet students and minors with rubber bullets, tear gas and stun grenades. Journalists are beaten while doing their job.
NATO and the EU are alliances of democracies. Both rely on the rule of law and respect for citizens. The tear gas against students and the attacks on journalists show otherwise. Values are proven internally. The Government of Albania is currently failing this test.
Blaming “foreign intervention” for the anger of Albanian youth towards corruption and impunity is an insult to them. Every case of police violence must be investigated. Albanians must decide for themselves about their future.
Albania presents itself in Brussels as a reliable NATO ally and an EU accession frontrunner. At home, the police met students and minors with rubber bullets, tear gas and stun grenades. Journalists are beaten while doing their job. NATO and the EU are alliances of democracies. Both are built on the rule of law and respect for citizens. Tear gas against students and assaults on journalists say otherwise. Values are proven at home. The government of Albania is currently failing that test. Blaming “foreign interference” for young Albanians’ anger at corruption and impunity is an insult to say. Every case of police violence must be investigated. Albanians must get to decide their future.
— Rihards Kols (@RihardsKols) October 18, 2026
