Albanian President Iljir Meta warned today that Albania risks becoming "the North Korea of Europe" again, explaining his position in the constitutional conflict that is disrupting the country's accession process to the European Union (EU).
In an interview with Juronjuz (Euronews), Meta stated that the Albanian government led by socialists has "usurped every independent institution" in the country and is "in the service of a one-party regime".
Meta said he was "fighting for democracy" denying that it was his power struggle with Prime Minister Edi Rama.
"How can they be above party politics when we have a complete usurpation of the state by the ruling majority that controls everything?" Meta asked.
The President of Albania added that today his country is unfortunately under a one-party regime, under the threat of returning 30 years ago when it was the "North Korea of Europe".
He said that he is not fighting for power.
"I am fighting for the rule of law in Albania. I am fighting for the rule of democracy against the one-party regime that has usurped every independent institution in this country and now wants to seize the Constitutional Court as well," he said.
Albania's president has called for a mass protest against the government in Tirana for March 2, as Prime Minister Rama raised the issue of impeachment - following Meta's attempt to cancel last year's municipal elections.
The main opposition party in Albania, the Democratic Party, supported the head of state's call for a protest and demanded new elections.
Last year, the opposition held protests for months that often turned into violent clashes with the police, boycotted the parliament and local elections, accusing the government of rigging the elections and links with organized crime.
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