The citizens’ protest against the government ended this Sunday in Tirana, marking the 120th day of demonstrations held over four consecutive months. Protesters initially gathered in Skanderbeg Square and then headed toward the Prime Minister’s Office, where they delivered speeches and repeated their demand for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama.
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Participants held placards and chanted slogans against the government. The main calls included “Edi Rama, resign,” while protesters also chanted “Your end has come,” “Rama in prison, Berisha in prison,” and “System change.”
After the speeches ended, the crowd continued the protest with a march through several of Tirana’s streets.
Activists said that the 120th day did not mark the end of the movement. According to them, the demonstrations will continue and their demands will not be abandoned. These include the prime minister’s departure, the establishment of a transitional government, and the implementation of political and institutional changes.
Activist Sidorela Vatnikaj said the movement began as a response to what she described as state violence, corruption, and oligarchic influence over the decision-making process. She said protesters would remain in the square every day until their demands were met, emphasizing that citizens with different political views had joined the protests during these 120 days.
Other protesters also said they would not end their resistance after the 120 days had concluded. One of them said he would continue participating in protests until the departure of the people who, in his view, had harmed the country, while raising concerns about Albania’s economic and social situation.
Dritan Goxhaj spoke about the continuation of the movement and stressed that it must not become violent. According to him, the resistance should continue peacefully, as violence would serve those in power. Goxhaj said that “there is no turning back” and that citizens must prepare to endure the fatigue brought on by the protests.
The placards displayed during the gathering also referred to Prime Minister Edi Rama’s latest statements. The phrase “Knock knock” was used ironically and as a message that justice must knock on Rama’s doors. Protesters linked this symbolism to their demands for government officials to be investigated and held accountable.
