New York Times: Edi Rama's power is intact, supported by the US and the EU

The Arab Spring almost eight years ago is unlikely to be repeated in the Balkan region despite repeated protests and possible uprisings that may be organized in the region. According to the American newspaper, New York Times, the authoritarian leaders of the Balkans have the support of the West, who are ready to accept the infringement of democracy, but not the long-term stability of the region.

The epidemic of protests has gripped Albania for months, and some countries in the region have little hope of producing a Balkan revolution as the months pass and the tourist season approaches.

This topic was addressed at the weekend by the prestigious American newspaper, New York Times, analyzing the rebellion of citizens in Tirana, but also in Montenegro, Serbia or Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Focusing on the case of Albania, journalist Mark Santora recalls several months of gatherings and episodes aimed at removing the head of the Albanian executive, Edi Rama.

"In Albania, protesters have been gathering for months, and have even tried to enter the parliament, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, whom they accuse of corruption and manipulation of the 2017 elections. However, the power of Mr. Rama, which is supported by the States The United States and the European Union, it seems, will remain intact."

Despite the wave of protests in the countries of the region, the article emphasizes that the most urgent concern for the European executive remains the handling of threats from within the member countries, such as the growth of nationalist and extreme ideologies.

As for the Balkans, Brussels representatives think that the primary interest is political stability, even if this means weaker democratic institutions.

According to the New York Times, these attitudes of the Europeans over the weeks have reduced the citizens' enthusiasm for a possible overthrow of the leaders accused of being despots of the Balkans, among them the Prime Minister of Albania, the President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic, his Montenegrin counterpart Milo Djukanovic , or the Bosnian of the Serbian Republic, Milorad Dodik.

Original article: 'Balkan Spring' Turns to Summer, and Hopes for Change Dim. /Telegraph/