“A Frightening Policy of Emigration and Denationalization Has Begun” / 26 Days of Revolt, Bujar Asqeriu Backs the Protest: This Country Is Run by Thieves

For 26 days, the civic revolt has continued, and the square in front of the Prime Minister’s Office continues to fill with citizens demanding the removal of this government and Edi Rama’s unconditional resignation.

Well-known actor Bujar Asqeriu has consistently supported the protest and the young people calling for a change in the political class and a better future for Albania, a future that does not force them to leave the country.

“Young men and women, I fully support your peaceful, painful, courageous, heroic protest. Migjeni would say: ‘Youth, youth, sing the most beautiful song you know!’ And you are composing and singing the song of freedom. You are singing the song of resistance. You are singing the song of courage. You are the future of this country. You will make Albania more beautiful, stronger and more powerful in the Balkans and in Europe. For this, I congratulate you and honor you immensely,” he said a few days ago.

His earlier statements have also gone viral on social media, sharply reflecting the reality citizens face today. There, he contrasts the staggering wealth of government officials with the difficult lives of artists and ordinary people, who cannot even afford to buy a home for themselves.

“Our artists live in 50-square-meter homes while government officials have villas worth 10 million euros. This is the great drama of this country. This country is led and run by thieves. That is why there is no money left for artists and the theater, that is why they shove us into a mouse hole, over there by the hydropower plant. The thieves even take the money from a file that costs 100 lek. They leave no money untouched. This is our administration,” he said.

Meanwhile, in the 1983 film, Asqeriu brought to the screen the figure of Avni Rustemi, who in his speech in the parliament of that time expressed concern about a harsh reality in which people faced shortages and hardships, opposing the government and the social conditions.

“When the people’s faces turn yellow from lack of bread, and when the government does not meet the needs of the nation, we must compel it to do so. Hundreds of residents are being forcibly displaced. A terrible policy of emigration and denationalization has begun. We must protest and raise our voices,” Bujar Asqeriu said in the film in 1983.