Two Countries, Two Mentalities

Two Countries, Two Mentalities

Romania and Albania facing crisis – why the citizen matters more than the politician

There are two countries in south-eastern Europe that share a similar history – communism, a painful transition, endemic corruption, fragile institutions.

But in 2026, their response to crisis is completely different.

Albania: The Country That Is Not for Sale

On 23 May 2026, a handful of environmental activists gathered near the Narta Lagoon on Albania’s southern coast. The reason – barbed wire fences had appeared overnight on a public beach, part of a protected natural area.

The Albanian government had approved the construction of a five-billion-euro luxury resort linked to Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US President Donald Trump. The island of Sazan – a former Soviet military base – and the coastal area of Vjosa-Narta were to be transformed into a luxury tourism complex for the world’s wealthy.

Albanians took to the streets.

Not once. Not for two days. Every single day, for 14 consecutive days. Tens of thousands of people gathered outside Prime Minister Edi Rama’s office holding simple, clear signs: “Albania is not for sale.”

The protests – dubbed the “Flamingo Revolution” after the protected birds in the area – grew with each passing day. They were not organised by political parties. They were spontaneous, civic, and cross-partisan.

One protester summarised it perfectly: “The government is corrupt. The opposition is corrupt. They are in this together. But we are here – and we hope to achieve something.”

The Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office opened an investigation. The international press – Al Jazeera, Euronews, the Times of Israel – covered the protests. The world saw Albania.

Romania: The Country Where the Chair Matters More Than the Nation

At the same time, Romania is experiencing one of its most serious political and economic crises in recent years.

The budget deficit has reached alarming levels. Businesses are closing. Young people are leaving. The cost of living has surpassed the purchasing power of the majority of Romanians.

And the political class – what is it doing?

Fighting over chairs. Coalitions, ruptures, negotiations, betrayals. Every party with its eyes on the next position, not on the country. Statements without substance. Promises without deadlines.

The press – instead of being the voice of the citizen – has chosen sides. There is right-wing media, left-wing media, the media of this businessman, the media of that party. Independent journalism is a rarity.

The Romanian citizen is also divided. Not along clear values or principles – but along tribal political lines. Some are “with those ones”, others are “with the other ones”. Nobody thinks in terms of “what is good for the country?”

The street – when it exists – is also partisan. People protest for one politician or against another. Not for a cross-partisan civic cause.

Why This Difference Matters

This is not about Albania being better than Romania. Albania has its own serious problems – corruption, emigration, weak institutions.

It is about one single thing: the Albanian citizen holds people accountable.

When the government sold a protected beach to an American investor with political connections – Albanians took to the streets. Without being summoned by a party. Without waiting for elections.

When a politician is indicted for corruption – Albanians demand resignation. Immediately.

The mechanism of civic accountability works.

In Romania, the same mechanism is blocked. Paralysed by political tribalism, by widespread distrust, by the accumulated exhaustion of 35 years of transition.

Conclusion

A country is not better or worse because of its politicians.

Politicians are the product of the society that produces and tolerates them.

Albania has corrupt politicians – but it has citizens who do not tolerate them in silence.

Romania has intelligent, educated, capable citizens – but a civic system that has taught them that protest is partisan, that change is impossible, that it is simpler to leave.

The difference between the two countries is not in parliament.

It is in the street.

Romania and Albania – two countries, two mentalities, the same road ahead, travelled at different speeds.