Çepani on the 28th protest: What matters is breaking down barriers, not the name of the new leader

On the day when the 28th protest is expected to take place, civil society activist Edlira Çepani said that a citizens’ initiative has now been set in motion, seeking Rama’s resignation and the establishment of a technical government. In a statement to the program “News24 Fundjavë,” she stressed that the main issue is not who will take the lead, but the need to bring down the obstacles that keep the system closed.

Çepani also said that bullying in politics does not provide a way out, referring as well to Prime Minister Edi Rama’s reactions to the protest.

“No one delegates anything, because there is no leadership. When a system functions in a horizontal way, and each person takes it upon themselves to contribute where they can, that is a great achievement. This brings unity, because everyone brings the part in which they are capable. It is a form of organization whose beauty comes through the persistence of the protesters themselves. Organization from the bottom up is among the most powerful. It has begun to move, and this movement is happening, as with the grouping that represents the protest. For the protesters, it is political. Activation and protest are political. I am not one of those people who think a political grouping should emerge from this grouping. Everyone should have the freedom to create such a grouping. Protests have their own duties in reacting to situations. If what the protest is demanding is achieved, the idea is that in a system with an equal electoral code, the opportunity is given to anyone who wants to create a new force, or compete as an independent citizen; that is the real race.

According to her, representation should come through real and equal competition. She underlined that the problem is not who will take the leadership, but that the system itself should remove the barriers so that citizens become part of the solution. Çepani added that Albania has good professionals, but that, in her view, unfortunately they have not been heard.

She argued that the technical government being sought could also draft proposals to change the electoral code. After that, according to her, this code would create opportunities both for new parties and old ones, while at the same time guaranteeing proper representation.

Further on, Çepani stressed that mockery and threats do not solve problems, while political bullying does not serve as a solution to the situations that have arisen. She recalled that institutions are funded by citizens’ taxes and said there is room for improvement in the way responses are given to protests. According to her, the demands raised by the protest should be discussed and addressed in Parliament.