By Lutfi Dervishi
Since the protests began, this place is no longer what it used to be. It has changed, and not for the better.
1. The fall of the euro
It has collapsed the euro. All the theories about tourism, remittances, construction and black money turned out to be wrong. The real culprit is the protests.
2. Housing crisis
Housing and rent prices have skyrocketed. Until yesterday, young couples were buying apartments in the Paris Commune simply by saving their morning coffee change.
3. Apocalyptic traffic
It has paralyzed the capital. Before the protest, it was possible to travel from Tirana to Durrës and Rinas in the blink of an eye.
4. The degeneration of the state
It has increased corruption, arrogance, and abuse of office. Unlike before, when our officials functioned with the precision of a Swiss watch and displayed the generosity and compassion of Mother Teresa.
5. Reduction of salaries and pensions
It has cut salaries and pensions. Until the protest, pensioners didn’t know where to spend their pensions, while employees rejected salary increases because they didn’t know what to do with all that money.
6. Depopulation of the country
It has emptied Albania. Before the protest, the airports were full of people looking for tickets just to return to their homeland.
7. Attracting investors
It has scared away foreign capital. Before the protest, the world’s billionaires were patiently waiting in line at Rinas, to invest even in projects without a project.
8. Crisis of confidence
It has eroded trust in politics. Previously, citizens trusted politicians so blindly that priests and imams were jealous.
9. Lost Happiness
It has sown artificial discontent. Because before the protest everyone was fine, without debt, without anxiety, without any reason to complain.
10. Global warming
It has raised temperatures in the country. Two weeks ago, Tirana had a spring-like coolness that pleased the soul. As soon as people took to the streets, the heat began. If the protest continues, it risks being blamed for earthquakes, drought, the decline in the birth rate, and Italy’s failure to qualify for the World Cup.