Paris, December 16, 2023

This satirical piece playfully mocks societal norms, offering a witty critique wrapped in fiction: Berlusconi-esque?

Welcome to the Italian fantasy grand gala of political paradoxes! On one side, we have Giorgia Meloni, the poster child for the extreme right and a certain Italian charm, often seen frowning upon the complexities of immigration. Her party, a not-so-distant cousin of the Italian ‘Allianza Nationale,’ carves out a significant niche in Italy’s political tapestry. On the other side, enter the Socialist Prime Minister of Albania, closer and closer to the methods of their predecessors, the Albanian communist Party, presiding over a country where the youth exodus is as common as the endemic corruption stops to afford even a decent Wi-Fi.

Imagine the grand soirée of the century: Giorgia Meloni’s party, a blend of stern tradition and modern flair, where every toast is a passionate speech about the glories of the past and dreams for the future. Like Berlusconi’s bash – think extravagant, with a touch of the old Roman decadence, where the champagne flows like water and the entertainment is, let’s say, ‘eclectic.’

Now, stir in a twist: invite Edi Rama, the socialist PM of Albania. Picture him, a beacon of socialism, navigating through a sea of contrasting ideologies. Rama, with his artist’s soul, might find himself sketching a new political landscape on a napkin, or diplomatically maneuvering between a discourse on fiscal responsibility and a debate over the virtues of ancient Rome.

In a 2013 interview in New York with Edi Rama, then the leader of the opposition in Albania, I posed a question about the political shifts in the country: ‘Isn’t it a paradox that you started as a Democrat and finished as the head of the Socialist Party, while Sali Berisha, a former communist party secretary, leads the Democratic Party?’ His response, which left a lasting impression on me, was straightforward: ‘In Albania, the left wing and right wing do not mean anything.’ Edi Rama, now the Socialist Prime Minister of Albania, participating in this Sunday’s celebrations with Giorgia Meloni’s extreme right-wing party in Rome, Italy, demonstrates that for him, the distinction between left wing and right wing still holds no significance.

At this opulent party, let’s picture the artist-turned-prime minister, pitching what he sees as the ultimate win-win solution: ‘Why not treat Albania’s vanishing youth as a brain gain for Italy? After all, isn’t Italy’s aging population in dire need of some young, dynamic spirits?’ He’d quip, with a wink, ‘Think of it as a humanitarian contribution; we’re practically neighbors helping neighbors, right?’
The Center for African Candidate to European Immigration? Oh come on, – this is to help them escape when the right of Asil will be rejected in Italia. Albanian passers will help them… and all humanity will thank the artist-turned-prime minister for his, as always intelligent provocations, that, curiously end up on the front pages of Western newspapers.

Ah, the parties of politicians – where fantasies aren’t just dreams, but bold statements, and the guest list is more diverse than a UN summit. Cheers to the unexpected guests and the even more unexpected conversations…

Imagine this: Elon Musk crashes the political soirée of Giorgia Meloni and Edi Rama, adding an extra layer of surrealism to an already eclectic mix. Musk, the maestro of tech and space dreams, might find himself amidst discussions of immigration, amusingly out of his usual orbit yet always ready to tweet a cosmic perspective.

And then, just for kicks, imagine Elon Musk, the wildcard guest, whimsically suggesting a solution to Albania’s and African youth emigration – trips to Mars as an incentive!

After the Albanian Prime Minister proposed the use of his country’s coastal areas for the construction of refugee camps at Meloni’s request, Elon Musk extended an imaginative offer to her, suggesting the establishment of camps on Mars. Because why settle for Italy, when you can populate an entire planet?

Now, let’s add a dash of historical humor by comparing this gathering to the legendary bashes thrown by the late Silvio Berlusconi. Known for parties that were as flamboyant as they were controversial, Berlusconi set a high bar for extravagance. So, picture Musk, with his penchant for the extraordinary, pondering, ‘What would Silvio do?’ Would he approve of a modest affair discussing immigration and youth diaspora? Or would he envision something more… Berlusconi-esque?

In the end, ‘From Albania to Mars’ became more than a refugee solution; it was a galactic experiment in human resilience and Italian ingenuity. As for Meloni, she had already set her sights on her next project: “Venus – for those who prefer a warmer climate”.