At a time when we should have moved past the phase where medical diagnoses are used as insults, Prime Minister Edi Rama decided to give another push to the normalization of exclusionary language. During a public statement, he referred to opposition supporters by saying: "Choosing between the EU and the swamp, choosing the swamp means you are not good, politically you are autistic, you are not good."
In 2025. By a prime minister. In public. With a microphone. Why is it problematic?
1. Being autistic is not an insult.
Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition, not a negative trait, nor a “defect” that can be used as a metaphor for political incompetence. When a leader uses the word “autistic” as a synonym for “incapable of making the right decision,” he not only trivializes the reality of people on the autism spectrum, but also promotes harmful stereotypes.
2. Derogatory language from the top of power
When an anonymous citizen uses such terms, it is disturbing. When the prime minister does it, it is alarming. Because it is no longer a matter of "a slip of the tongue", but is conceived as an institutional message and institutions should be a model of inclusion, respect and social sensitivity.
3. Reinforcement of stereotypes
In a country where education about neurodevelopmental diversity is still lacking and where parents of autistic children face prejudice every day, this type of communication from a public and political figure only further reinforces the normalization of discrimination. A very clear message is being sent: being different = not being “good.”
4. A wake-up call about how we perceive people who are “different”
When a leader thinks it's okay to use diagnoses as comparisons for contempt, it says much more about the collective mindset than about the individual speaking. And for this very reason, it's necessary to react. It's not the first time our politicians have spoken with derogatory language, but that doesn't mean we should normalize it. We need to move past the "eh, that's how they do it" phase. Because words build realities. And the reality we are building today with this language is a reality that hurts.
The Prime Minister apologized, saying among other things: "I cannot help but share this reflection. To err is human, while not to apologize is not manly. Completely unintentionally, today I offended autistic children and hurt their parents by talking about political autism and it turned out completely unintentionally today. But here, I had to make a mistake and then learn. It has been inappropriate for years and in fact, quite rightly. I apologize to you and I have not only respect, but also admiration for them and for the parents of children with special abilities."
This will certainly not undo the damage, but it could be a small step towards a long-overdue but necessary awareness. If not for the good of all, at least for those who are tired of feeling excluded, even by those they are supposed to represent.
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