1. Banning TikTok Is Not the Right Decision

Banning a social platform like TikTok is an extreme measure that restricts freedom of expression, a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution. TikTok, like any other platform, may host problematic content, but the responsibility lies in how it is used, not in its existence. Instead of banning platforms, we should build regulatory frameworks that address the issues without infringing on freedoms.

2. An Effective Regulator, Not Drastic Bans, Is Needed

I have proposed a concrete draft for creating a special structure within the Audiovisual Media Authority (AMA). This structure would act as a regulator for social media posts, ensuring that inappropriate content is filtered without the need for total platform bans. With a cost of €6–8 million for establishment and professional training and approximately €2 million annually for maintenance, this model is economically feasible and far more effective than an outright ban. In fact, the cost is manageable for the government budget, particularly when compared to other expenditures, such as the €19 million annual agreement with the Italian government for the refugee camp over the next five years.

3. Banning TikTok Does Not Address the Root Cause of Violence Among Minors

The tragic case of a minor, used as a justification for banning TikTok, has revealed other shortcomings. As reports confirmed, neither the victim nor the perpetrator had TikTok accounts. Furthermore, the videos posted after the incident were shared on another platform, Snapchat. This highlights that the problem does not lie in any specific platform but in the lack of education and care within families and schools.

4. The Solution Lies in Education

Issues such as violence among minors have deep roots in families and the education system. We need to focus on strengthening the chain of education, starting with the family as the foundational pillar of social development, and increasing the engagement of pedagogical staff in schools.

Volt Albania firmly believes that decisions impacting citizens and their freedoms must be well-researched, sustainable, and in alignment with fundamental human rights. Instead of implementing drastic bans, let us build stronger frameworks and invest in education to secure a better future for the next generation.

Ardit Minarolli

Co- President of Volt Albania

Volt Albania is not just a political party, but a vision for a different Albania. As a branch of Volt Europa, the first pan-European movement, we aim to bring the spirit of cooperation and evidence-based policies, addressing the most important challenges facing our country today.

How was Volt Albania born?

Volt Europa was created in 2017 as a response to common European challenges, such as Brexit, the rise of populism and the lack of real cooperation between states. In Albania, Volt came as a need to change the way politics is done, to give citizens a voice and build a better future.

A historic moment for Volt Albania

On November 17, 2024, Volt Albania held its first Assembly for the first time, electing me as their first president of this movement that aims to become a party. Together with the board and other members, I have the honor to lead this project as a student and as a citizen who believes that Albania has the potential to become a development model in the region and why not, in Europe as well. This moment marks the beginning of a new era, where Albanian citizens will have a pragmatic alternative based on transparency, equality and achievable results.

At the General Assembly of Volt Europe, in the opening speech I emphasized the importance of building a society that places people at the center of politics and development. For us, politics is not an end in itself, but a means to bring about real and lasting change.

Our attitudes and the values that guide us

Volt Albania relies on three main pillars: transparency, progress and solidarity. Here are some of our priorities:

• To stop the wave of immigration that is as almost over 60% of young people are of the idea that they want to leave and we want to stop this by providing opportunities for economic growth, employment and social welfare in the country.

• To promote green policies, since the level of environmental pollution is at extremely high levels, it is no coincidence that Tirana is one of the cities with the highest risk of lung cancer in Europe, and we aim to achieve this by protecting the environment and invested in renewable energy.

• To strengthen the role of women and young people, making them main actors in politics and in the development of the country.

What do we aim for?

Volt Albania is not only for young people or professionals, it is for every Albanian citizen who wants a better future. We welcome farmers looking for support for their land, entrepreneurs who want favorable policies, women who fight for equality and students who dream of a fairer education system. Every citizen has a story and a contribution to make, and we are here to ensure that no one is left behind.

In the 2025 elections, Volt Albania aims to secure representation in the Albanian Parliament. This is not only a political challenge, but also a responsibility to show that politics can be done differently.

Our call for cooperation

Volt Albania is a movement open to all those who want to be part of the change. We invite citizens, professionals and young people to join us, as supporters or active members, to build together a European Albania that reflects its true potential. Joining Volt is easy! You can become a member by registering on our official website, where you can contribute as a volunteer to local projects or participate in our public activities. Contact us for more details or visit our social media pages to follow the latest developments. So, now I want to close with an expression that I quoted during the General Assembly:

ENOUGH WITH ALBANIA IN EUROPE, LET'S BRING EUROPE IN ALBANIA!

Ardit Minarolli

Co-President i Volt Shqipërisë

A year ago today, more than a thousand terrorists from Hamas attacked Israel in the early morning, with thousands of victims, mostly civilians, and 251 hostages. The largest-ever terrorist attack on Israeli soil.

This massacre destroyed what should have been scenes of joy: a music festival and families enjoying breakfast in their homes. Today we commemorate the victims of this terrible act and repeat the demand that the remaining hostages should be freed immediately. 

A cycle of trauma

This attack is part of a long cycle of trauma. And since then the suffering of innocent people has continued. Israel's counter attack on Hamas in Gaza and in the West Bank has led to the deaths of tens of thousands of people, including many children, as retribution for a crime in which they played no part. So the cycle continues. 

Vengeance does not bring resolution, let alone peace. As the conflict spills into Lebanon, hundreds of thousands of more people are radicalised and taught to hate their neighbours. We now see this cycle not only repeating, but also enforcing itself again, as we are on the brink of further escalation between Iran and Israel. (See also our previous statement about how war is spreading in the Middle East.)

Trauma creates more trauma. It takes decades to heal intergenerational pain. There can only be safety, stability, and peace for everyone living in the region when the cycle of trauma is stopped, but that seems farther away than ever before. Breaking the cycle and finding the strength for slowly rebuilding trust is incredibly difficult.

Still, against all odds, we have seen people from all backgrounds standing together. We have seen Muslims and Jews stand together to protect aid convoys traveling to Gaza. We have seen them protest together against injustice. We see several powerful initiatives where people and politicians try to build bridges and show there is only one side to choose: human rights.

The role of the EU

Only when we truly enforce human rights without exception can we play a serious role. The EU should unite its voice and demand a permanent ceasefire, support the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court, sanction those who break the law and protect all victims. (See also our previous statement.)

The EU can also help mediate to normalise relations between Israel and its Arab neighbours. We can train mediation professionals who help reconciling shared trauma in local communities through small but real steps. Always in collaboration with the local communities and depending on their needs, we can help build good governance, services and connections and support reconstruction, development and investment, in Israel, Palestine and Lebanon. 

Everyone deserves safety, but it can’t be provided by tolerating autocrats who thrive on fear and hatred, only by supporting those who courageously choose the side of human rights. That is a world where the Middle East and its diverse communities can thrive in safety and compassion. Never again should really be never again.

Reinier van Lanschot,
Member of the European Parliament

Our pioneers at Volt Albania, with the help of the amazing team of TV Apollon today recorded the first episode of the new TV program "Future made in Europe. A program all about people in Europe sharing their experience and their stories.

At Volt we already know how important Europe is, but we also know that there's room for improvement. We don't avoid the hard questions, but dive straight into them and try to answer them.

• Why does Albania need Europe?

• Europe is in crisis, what does Europe still offer to Albania?

• What about corruption across the contintent, is it the same?

We answer these and many more questions in this new program, from the people by the people.

At the general assembly Volters from all over Europe met up to discuss their future in Europe.

Volt Albania was present as well to show our support and talk about the future of Albania.

Today is the day for all Europeans were we celebrate celebrate peace and unity in Europe. A day very special to us Volters.

At Volt, nothing is more important than doing things together in Europe. We are not only from our own countries, we are Europeans. To get things done this means that we need to meet up and discuss what future we want to make in Europe and how to do it.

We do this at our general assembly with all members, at meetups and today we also do that at our country council meeting.

Volt Albania is founded today, it's time for something new in Albania. A new generation of politics.

That's why Volt Albania was founded. We are here to bring a new way of doing things to Albania. A new way that has it's foundation in working together for a better world. For Albanians by Albanians, as Europeans.