Edi Rama is likely preparing for changes in the government and administration. Changes that, in fact, should not surprise anyone: the prime minister himself has warned about them in the last two meetings of the Socialist Party Assembly, where his dissatisfaction with the performance of the ministers and the administration has not been hidden.
But this time, dissatisfaction with the work seems to have been compounded by political anger. Rama did not take kindly to the "tolerance" with which part of the administration joined the flag protest in the early days. And now, while August seems politically calm, a new storm is brewing in the administration.
Without going into speculation about the names of ministers who may be changed, one thing seems certain: The Prime Minister's Office has asked the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Defense to prepare for a large wave of resignations of key leaders.
The news is no longer a secret. In the corridors of these ministries, whispers have been going on for days about the wave that is expected to affect directors, but no one is sure that it will stop only at them. Because along with the names of the heads of the administration, the question that always produces more anxiety in the Socialist Party than any reform: what about the ministers?
From Dhërmi, where he is on vacation, Edi Rama seems to have done more than just the beach. In his familiar way, the prime minister has taken care that his subordinates do not feel as "relaxed" as the August calendar might suggest. Even more so in a month when important state offices seem to have been cooler from active air conditioners than from the activity of those who should populate them.
Perhaps it's no coincidence that some of his ministers have suddenly appeared very active on social media. Meetings, inspections, announcements, photos and public demonstrations of work in the August heat. A kind of digital proof to convince the big boss that they are there, alert and ready to work hard even when others are resting.
It's difficult, however, for Edi Rama to be convinced by Instagram.
It is equally difficult to take seriously every ministerial name that is circulating these days as dismissed or appointed. At this point, every list is at least speculation. Rama knows how to keep the decision secret to himself until the last moment and, above all, knows how to enjoy the announcement of changes live, during the television broadcast of the Assembly.
It's one of his favorite political rituals.
The names are read one after the other, the cameras are on, and the hall waits. While Rama announces who is rising and who is falling, he also has the luxury of seeing and judging the facial expressions of the army of servile people waiting to hear their names called for a possible appointment.
Until then, ministers can continue to post, directors to wait, and ministry corridors to buzz.
Because this August, it seems that the most peaceful vacation is being enjoyed by the very person who is disturbing everyone else's peace.
