Marjana Koçeku ‘hits out’ strongly the Socialist Party: MPs are not free, the Parliament only approves the party’s decisions

The departure of MP Marjana Koçeku from the Parliamentary Group of the Socialist Party has gone beyond the borders of Albania and attracted the attention of international media. The prestigious British outlet *“Britannia Daily”* has dedicated an article to her decision to break away from the majority, at a time when anti-government protests in the country have been ongoing for 28 days.

The article is titled: “One of Albania’s youngest MPs leaves the ruling party as protests intensify and says ‘This government cannot bring change’.”

Koçeku herself shared the interview on social media, describing it as an effort to internationalize developments in Albania.

“In an effort to help internationalize the issue of these days. In an effort to shed light on the dark corners where the old and decadent elite of our Albania is still hiding for a little while,” she wrote.

In the interview with the British media, the independent MP speaks about how Albanian politics functions, stating that MPs do not have full freedom in decision-making, as, according to her, decisions are influenced by party discipline and not always by the interests of citizens.

Koçeku also comments on the protests that have been taking place in the country for the past four weeks, describing them as one of the most important civic movements she has seen.

‘They have been among the most inspiring civic movements I have seen, not only in Albania but also in Europe in recent years,’ she says.

According to the MP, the protests have restored hope for change and show that citizens are demanding more transparency, accountability, and a more democratic functioning of institutions.

Among other things, Koçeku expresses her belief that the current Socialist government is not capable of delivering the changes demanded by citizens, arguing that Albania needs a new political culture and a new generation of leaders.

Full interview:

Marjana Koçeku, one of the youngest members of the Albanian Parliament and a former member of the Socialist Party parliamentary group, told *Britannia Daily* that the wave of mass protests in the country reflects a “deeper crisis of trust” between citizens and political institutions. She also sent a direct message to protesters: “You are not alone.”

Koçeku, who won her parliamentary mandate in September last year before leaving the Socialist Party and continuing as an independent MP, said that growing frustration with how power is exercised in Albanian politics was the main reason she split from the governing majority. Departures from major political parties in Albania are rare, especially for newly elected MPs from the majority. For this reason, her decision is considered an unusual act of political independence in Albania’s political reality.

Her statements carry particular weight as they come from a politician who until recently was part of the governing majority and is now one of the few independent voices in Parliament. As one of the youngest MPs, Koçeku said she especially understands the aspirations of protesters, most of whom are young and believe that the political system no longer represents their concerns. Her comments offer a rare insight into the growing dissatisfaction even within the former governing majority, at a time when Albania is experiencing one of the largest waves of protests in recent years.

Although she entered Parliament less than a year ago, her decision to break away from the majority has attracted attention due to her young age and the speed at which she became disillusioned with the political system. Koçeku was initially elected as part of the Socialist Party majority of Prime Minister Edi Rama, but later decided to continue her mandate as an independent MP. She says she is no longer bound by party discipline and will vote according to her conscience and the interests of the citizens she represents.

“Parliament often functions as an institution where party decisions are simply approved, rather than being properly examined. One of the fundamental responsibilities of an MP is to exercise independent judgment on behalf of the citizens who elected them. In practice, however, party discipline often prevails over the public interest,” she told *Britannia Daily*.

During the interview, Koçeku repeatedly emphasized the need for accountability, democratic renewal, and the creation of a new generation of political leaders.

“The protests strengthened my decision”

Koçeku’s departure from the Socialist Party took place against the backdrop of one of the most significant civic movements in recent years in Albania, where tens of thousands of citizens, mostly young people, have peacefully protested demanding accountability, transparency, and democratic reforms. She stressed that the protests were not the reason for her departure, but they strengthened her conviction that she had made the right decision.

“These protests have been among the most inspiring civic movements I have seen, not only in Albania but also in Europe in recent years. When tens of thousands of citizens mobilize peacefully to demand accountability and democratic change, elected representatives have a duty to listen,” she said.

According to her, the concerns raised by protesters, government accountability, environmental protection, transparency over major development projects, and the rising cost of living are exactly the same issues that led her to question the direction the country was taking. “I see this movement as a sign of hope rather than despair,” she said. “It shows that citizens have not given up on democracy; on the contrary, they are demanding that it works better.”

“It is only a matter of time”

In one of the strongest statements of the interview, Koçeku hinted that other politicians may follow her example. “From my conversations and observations, I believe there is a growing sense of concern within a part of Albanian politics. I get the impression that not everyone agrees with the current direction of political leadership, although many choose not to speak publicly.”

She added: “I believe it is only a matter of time before more politicians find the courage to speak openly and act according to their convictions. Healthy democracies depend on individuals who place beliefs and principles above political comfort.”

Regarding her former colleagues in the Socialist Party, Koçeku stated briefly: “From this moment on, any communication between us will take place only through official channels. I have had no contact with them.”

A crisis of trust and the need for political renewal

Koçeku argued that the protests are not only a reaction to specific policies, but a symptom of a much deeper problem: the loss of trust between citizens and institutions.

“Many Albanians feel that political decisions are increasingly being made without real consultation with the public, and that institutions are becoming less and less responsive to the citizens they are meant to serve. When citizens lose trust that their concerns can be addressed through normal political mechanisms, they seek other democratic ways to make their voices heard.”

According to her, reforms cannot be credible if they are led by the same political culture that citizens are protesting against.

“Rebuilding trust requires more than policy changes. It requires a different political culture, based on transparency, stronger democratic institutions, respect for the rule of law, and a willingness to listen to citizens even when their message is uncomfortable,” Koçeku said.

She stated that Albania does not only need a change of government, but a new generation of leaders committed to accountability, transparency, and democratic dialogue.

“Albania does not simply need the replacement of a few individuals, but the renewal of the entire political culture. The political elite, the way institutions function, and the mentality that has shaped governance for decades need deep reform. Sustainable change will not come by replacing one group of political actors with another if the same practices and mentality remain. Albania needs a completely new generation of leaders who embrace accountability, transparency, democratic dialogue, and public service as fundamental principles of governance,” the former MP emphasized.

She then added clearly: “This government cannot do it, nor can the old political elite.” These are considered among the strongest criticisms Koçeku has made of the political establishment since becoming an independent MP.

“Now you also have a mandate in Parliament”

Her message to protesters was direct: “Your voice matters, and you must never believe that peaceful civic engagement is useless. You are not alone – you now also have a mandate in Parliament.”

Koçeku revealed that many protesters have personally invited her to join them, which she described as a sign of trust she greatly values.

According to her, since announcing her departure from the Socialist Party, she has received thousands of messages from ordinary citizens, members of the Albanian diaspora, academics, and public figures, telling her that her decision has restored their belief that politics can still be guided by principles rather than political interest.

“The power of this reaction shows that such a decision is extremely unusual in Albanian politics. It has challenged a consolidated political culture and opened a broader public debate on political independence, accountability, and the responsibility of elected representatives to put citizens above party interests,” Koçeku stated.

“Flamingo Revolution”

Albania has experienced some of the largest and most sustained protests of recent years, with tens of thousands of citizens taking to the streets in Tirana and other cities, demanding greater government accountability, transparency, and democratic reforms.

The movement, widely known as the “Flamingo Revolution,” initially began as an environmental protest against luxury tourism projects on Sazan Island and the Zvërnec peninsula. These projects are supported by American investor Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump, and his wife Ivanka Trump.

The projects, which foresee the construction of luxury resorts near the Vjosa–Narta Protected Landscape, have faced strong opposition from environmentalists, local residents, and members of the Albanian diaspora, who express concerns over damage to protected ecosystems and accuse the government of prioritizing the interests of major investors over the public interest.

What began as opposition to these projects has evolved into a broader protest movement against alleged corruption, state capture, lack of transparency, and growing dissatisfaction with the Albanian political class.

Protesters have called for deep political reforms and, in some cases, the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, arguing that the protests are not only about a single development project but represent a demand for a new political culture built on accountability and public trust.

“KORÇA BOOM”