Caesar was once emperor, today he is a salad

2026-06-13 20:19:00, Opinione Ardi Stefa

One of the banners that I liked the most at the June 2026 protest is the one that contained the words I used as the title. Few sentences explain the drama of Albanian power and politics better than this expression.

Julius Caesar ruled Rome, shook the world of his time, made the Senate tremble, and convinced himself that history would remember him as immortal. History did, but today his name is found not only in history books, but also on restaurant menus, and for most people it is the name of a salad.

This is not a mockery of Caesar. It is the mockery that time makes of all those who confuse power with immortality.

In Albania, this is perhaps the lesson that Albanian politics refuses to learn. Our politicians do not behave as temporary administrators of power, but as owners of history. Every prime minister behaves as if he will govern forever. Every opposition leader behaves as if he is irreplaceable. Every party considers itself the center of the Albanian political universe. They speak and behave as if without them the country does not exist. They behave as if the future of Albania depends on their presence. Some have been in politics for decades and still have not understood that no one is more important than time. It is enough to see how they cling to chairs, seals, acronyms, titles.

Meanwhile, outside the offices of power and parties, life goes on. Generations change. Albanians leave. Young people lose faith. And politics continues to revolve around the same names, as if the country were condemned to remain hostage to their biographies.
As if Albania's problem is their lack...

But time knows no privileges.

Albania has seen figures who once filled the squares and are barely mentioned today. It has seen leaders who controlled everything and today do not even control their own party. It has seen politicians who spoke on behalf of the people and who were later left with only the echoes of their speeches.

This is why politics must be practiced with honesty, modesty, and humility. Not because morality demands it, but because reality imposes it. No one is greater than time. No one is stronger than oblivion.

History is merciless. It doesn't ask for applause, for militants, nor for propaganda. History always dethrones everyone.

Even Caesar.

The lesson for our politicians is simple.

Yesterday they were "saviors of the nation." Today they may be book chapters. Tomorrow they may be just a footnote.

Therefore, every time I see an Albanian politician who acts like he's irreplaceable, I'm reminded of Caesar.

Not the empire.

Salad!