The ninth day has found the citizen’s protest on the boulevard in front of the prime minister with a more massive participation than the other days, where Albanians have come from all over the world, joining the cause against the government, the 35-year-old policy and against abusive scandals.
Among the many appeals, those for the patronageists who seek the division of the citizens in the square, but also for the opposition, who called it “sold out”, stood out.
“We are the opposition, the sold opposition”, “The homeland is us”, “Rama resigns”, “Rama in prison, Berisha in prison”.
Organizers said there would be few speeches by intellectuals and more slogans and messages with a single demand: Resign.
“After the short speeches, the square belongs to the citizens, march peacefully, in peace in all cities and streets. Let’s become 1 million Albanians, demand the resignation of the most anti-Albanian that Albania has known, Edi Rama. We don’t want party militants here with us, even though they are our brothers and sisters, but the square is ours”, they said.
Thousands of citizens first gathered in Skenderbey Square and then marched towards the Prime Minister’s building, where the boulevard was filled with banners, flags and calls against the government and the political class as a whole.
The atmosphere in front of the Prime Minister’s Office was characterized by strong slogans such as “Rama resigns”, “Don’t be divided! Down with the patronageists”, “Rama goes away”, as well as calls for the removal of the political elite that has dominated Albanian public life for decades.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Edi Rama and representatives of the majority have continued to minimize the protest, linking it to disinformation, political interests or external influences. In recent statements, Rama has ridiculed the protesters and attacked public figures who have expressed support for the civil revolt.
What started in Zvrnec as an opposition to a certain project, is now taking on wider dimensions, turning into an expression of dissatisfaction towards the entire political class.
This is proven by the messages that dominated the gathering in front of the Prime Minister’s Office. “Rama in prison, Berisha in prison”, “Down with the political caste” and “Don’t divide! Down with the patronageists” were among the most heard calls during the protest, reflecting the frustration of a part of the citizens not only towards the current government, but towards the entire political system.
With appeals against the political class and strong patriotic elements, protests have started in front of the Prime Minister’s Office. The National Anthem and the patriotic song “Xhamadani Vija-Vija” were heard in the square, while the protesters waved national flags.
The protestors shouted and ironically both the Prime Minister Edi Rama and the head of the Democratic Party Sali Berisha, demanding their imprisonment. “Rama in prison, Berisha in prison”, shouted the participants in unison.
Young men, women, children and the elderly have come together in this protest, which is attracting international attention through the live broadcast of Reuters. According to the organizers and participants, this is a cause that will not stop until their demands are heard.
