Why does no one feel sorry for Erion Veliaj?

2024-04-30 20:48:00, Opinione Ermal Mulosmani

Today's breakfast was quite nice. A warm sun in a clear sky cheered my soul on the way to the office. As soon as I arrived, in the cafe on the second floor, on the television in front, my eyes caught dozens of journalists with microphones and cameras waiting for a fat prey: their Chief of Chiefs, the Mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj.

There was anticipation, an undisguised joy between them. The beautiful weather did not affect their work at all, the cameramen were flying with joy.

Suddenly, on a street corner, the victim appeared. As always dressed and with files, accompanied by two subordinates who were probably paying tribute for the favors of their Boss so far. The deserters tried to create some distance from him; a safety distance as in times of pandemic, for fear of infection.

In the cafe, the jokes started, throw and wait. As soon as the Mayor approaches the perimeter of SPAK, offensive voices are heard: "thief, thief", "you belong in prison", "criminal". They were voices organized - probably - by the opposition. But the impression I got was that they were doing that job with great relish, with a hunger and passionate hatred.

I had the feeling of a great loneliness, of a total abandonment towards him.

I was reminded of the former gatherings of supporters of the most successful Minister of Renaissance, Saimir Tahiri. Then, despite the heavy charges he had on his shoulders, dozens of socialist militants clapped frantically and shouted in support of the Minister accused of trafficking.

I was wondering, what brought about this public disgust, this malicious popular joy; why a man who until today seemed to enjoy the massive support of all singers, rappers, actors, painters, matchmakers, big brothers, and most public figures; that in the public perception he was seen as the Descendant; who had tremendous financial power and executive power behind him; who commanded the country's most powerful media and knew how to move the threads of intrigue like few others, to act like a pedophile caught in the act?!

The first reason that came to my mind was his hypocrisy. For a people who have lived under communism, there is no being more slanderous than the schematic idolater, the dogmatic propagandist, the hypocrite, the pretentious, the planter, the zealous servant of the poor and the marginalized. This kind of behavior may be a good trend in a developed country but it is so defamatory to us. It reminds us of servile communist apparatchiks, some slandered dogmatic beings, relics of a bygone era. Every time I saw him at old people's homes, at women's parties, planting trees, inaugurating roads and schools, with a shovel in his hand, he made me feel in communion with that hateful system that we had left behind.

Erion Veliaj is undoubtedly the biggest contributor to the creation of a virtual reality; of a parallel, municipal world. In that reality there was no room for sorrow, there is only pathos, enthusiasm, flattery, lustres, fanfare, facades, masks, meaningless tautologies, slogans, dazzling rants, joy, laughter, emblazoned smiles, joy... In that reality he hid with care dirt, evil, shit, poverty, suffering.

A kind of facade that numbs reason and plays with the image. This is the first reason to dislike him. In reality, there was no place for journalists, critics, or troublemakers. He always had the shovel, the VIP and the cameraman. Not journalists. The VIPs did not increase our love for Veliajn, on the contrary, they increased our hatred for themselves. I hope it was worth it, they were well rewarded.

Leaning on a spade, he heralded the planting of hundreds of thousands of saplings under the dizzying movements of drones. A glorifying spectacle that was broadcast on all central and local televisions as the news of the day.

At the same time that in the forest of the Artificial Lake of Tirana, with his signature, he gave permission to destroy hundreds of perennial trees and the construction of hundreds of thousands of square meters of concrete. Inside the protected line, next to the Sheraton! Ten 15-story towers that everyone pretends not to see.

This chronicle was certainly not given by anyone. By order of Veliaj.

He must pay for this crime today.

Erion Veliaj had created a power parallel to the Prime Minister and an extraordinary financial power. Its directors fattened by unlimited power and rampant corruption did not think there would be any turning back. They were just waiting for the transition of power from, as they call it, the Sultan. They were competing to benefit each one more from tenders, permits, concessions, employment.

Until SPAK came.

Erion Veliaj, apart from others, does not inspire anyone. He is a submissive intriguer, an inferior being who obeys God with the humility of a faithful animal. In the hope of being rewarded for this humility. He thinks he can buy everyone: businessmen, owners, journalists, artists, critics, MPs, party colleagues.

And yet he never dared to oppose the Sultan. Even with a small gesture, as Fatmir Xhafa always does. Don't you! Even if he has all the MPs behind him, all the media, business, showbiz, crime, he will still be plagued by the dilemma of insecurity. He waits for power as a scheming servile who demonstrates unparalleled eunuch obedience.

But power is not for eunuchs.

People detest an exemplary submissive like Veliaj more than an incomparably arrogant one like his Boss. At least Rama spares us these leifenisms and not only that. Knowing the popular disgust for them, I leave no occasion without despising this quality. As was the case of the humiliation with the order to paint the stairs at 5 in the morning!

Today was the political end of Erion Veliaj. Regardless of the decision on it. Today he received the public stamp of popular disgust, the stamp of a thief./ CNA