Swiss public media Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (SRF) has dedicated an article to Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, contrasting the protests taking place in Albania against him with his participation as an artist in the prestigious Art Basel art fair in Switzerland.
According to SRF, while in Albania protesters are demanding Rama's resignation, in Basel he is present as an artist, with one of his works exhibited as part of the "Art Parcours" program, near the historic Mittlere Brücke bridge in the city center.
The article also touches on the debates caused by Rama's trip to Switzerland.
Media and social networks in Albania have shared a video where the prime minister appears at an event in Basel, prompting reactions and criticism from his political opponents.
In the response quoted by SRF, Rama explained that he financed the trip himself and that he participated in the event as a private person, invited by the organizers of Art Basel.
"During almost three decades in public service, I have never traveled privately with state money," he is quoted as saying.
Swiss media recalls that before entering politics, Rama studied painting in Tirana and also practiced artistic activity in France, making art an important part of his public identity.
SRF's international affairs correspondent, Janis Fahrländer, assesses that Rama continues to cultivate the image of a nonconformist politician and free-spirited artist, but emphasizes that this image is facing increasing challenges after more than 12 years in power.
According to the article, the Albanian prime minister faces growing criticism from his opponents, who accuse him of authoritarian tendencies and of pressure on justice institutions and the media.
On the other hand, the organizers of Art Basel have clarified that Rama's participation in the exhibition is exclusively related to his artistic activity and does not constitute support or political stance towards developments in Albania.
"His participation should not be interpreted as an Art Basel stance on political developments in Albania or elsewhere," a spokeswoman for the fair stated.
Art Basel has also announced that it does not foresee any special security measures for the exhibited work, despite the fact that it is located in a public space outside the main fair premises.
