Prime Minister Edi Rama flew to Berlin two days ago to participate in an annual forum called the Berlin Global Dialogue. The head of government made quite a splash about the event and of course his special place in it.
"At the Berlin Global Dialogue (BGD) - the high-level international forum that takes place every year in the capital of Germany, focusing on the global challenges of the economy, climate, technology and governance - where I am invited as one of the two speakers of the closing session together with President Ursula von der Leyen," Rama wrote on his official Facebook profile.
Rama's alignment with Von der Leyen as the two most important speakers at the meeting certainly falls in line with the aggressive propaganda of a leader who is widely respected in Europe. And Edi Rama has followed this line quite a bit, even publicly. But there is respect and respect.
The Berlin Global Dialogue is an annual event that brings together public and private sector leaders from around the world. This forum is organized by a German economist named Lars-Hendrik Röller.
Mr. Röller was Angela Merkel's economic advisor for many years in her government. Today, he is on Edi Rama's payroll.
Two years ago, the government passed a special decision that allowed the prime minister to pay advisors up to 10,000 euros per month. Mr. Röller was one of the beneficiaries of this decision, and today the Albanian government pays him 120,000 euros per month from citizens' money to advise Edi Rama.
Employer and employee
It is not publicly known what advice Mr. Röller gives to the Albanian Prime Minister. But apparently, along with this advice, Edi Rama has also been offered a place in the high-level forum, which he is selling as proof of his respect and influence in Europe. And this is not an isolated case.
From millions for the unscrupulous Tony Blair, to D'Alema's tourist villages on donated state lands, to Wall Street-style bonus salaries, the Albanian government has become a powerful corruption machine for Europe's top politicians.
And while Edi Rama buys influence in Europe, Albanian citizens pay the billion-dollar bill of respect for the global leader from their poor pockets.
Editorial
