Meloni-themed restaurant opens near asylum camp in Albania

A seafood restaurant named Trattoria Meloni has opened in Shëngjin, Albania, near an asylum-seeker camp where migrants' claims to enter the EU are processed. The establishment, owned by Gjergj Luca, features 70 portraits of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, reflecting her influence and the controversial migration policies she promotes. Luca, who is connected to the Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, expressed admiration for Meloni, despite differing political views. The restaurant's opening coincides with a migration pact initiated by Meloni and Rama, which has faced criticism from human rights organizations for being potentially illegal under international law. This pact aims to deter irregular migration by processing asylum claims in Albania, a strategy that has garnered mixed reactions. While some view it as a necessary measure, others criticize the human rights implications. Local communities have largely welcomed the establishment, as it promises job creation in an economically challenged region. The portraits adorning the restaurant, painted by Albanian artist Helidon Haliti, symbolize the intersection of art, politics, and cuisine, as Luca hopes to attract Meloni to visit and experience the restaurant firsthand. Meloni's political stance includes controversial measures such as repatriating migrants and advocating for a naval blockade of North Africa. Her policies have sparked debates about migration management in Europe, particularly in light of recent agreements with Tunisia and Libya aimed at curbing migrant flows, which have raised concerns about human rights abuses in detention camps.