TIRANA (Albania), December 28 (SeeNews) – Albania's prime minister Edi Rama said on Friday he will replace seven cabinet ministers in response to a recent wave of student protest rallies and in an attempt to address inefficiency and corruption in the state administration.
The student protests were a ‘slap’ for the government to improve its performance, Rama told a conference of his party, as seen in a video file posted on his Facebook page. He added that the changes are necessary in order to secure a third term in office.
Energy minister Damian Gjiknuri will be replaced by Belinda Balluku, foreign minister Ditmir Bushati by Gent Cakaj, economy minister Arben Ahmetaj by Anila Denaj, education minister Lindita Nikolla by Besa Shahini, agriculture minister Niko Peleshi by Blendi Cuci, minister of state for entrepreneurship Sonila Qato by Eduard Shalsi and culture minister Mirela Kumbaro by Elva Margariti.
The prime minister also said he will replace deputy prime minister Senida Mesi with Erion Brace and set up a new ministry in charge of relations with parliament, to be headed by Elisa Spiropali.
A wave of rallies seen as the biggest student protest action in the country since the 1990 demonstrations against the former Communist regime, broke out in Tirana and other Albanian cities earlier this month. The students demand lower university tariffs, an increase in state funding for education to 5% of GDP from 2.9%of GDP at pesent, higher education standards and an overhaul of dormitories, among others. More protests are called for the beginning of January.