Citizens’ Revolt Against the Government/ Activist Ilir Xhemalaj: Rama Is a Prime Minister from a Bygone Era, He No Longer Has a Place in Albania

The citizens’ protest against the government and Prime Minister Edi Rama has continued for 79 days, while participants say the movement is gaining increasing support, particularly among young people.

Appearing on News24, Ilir Xhemalaj spoke about the reasons that have kept the protesters united and what he considers to be the achievements of the movement so far.

According to Xhemalaj, the protesters are united first by “patriotism” and then by their demand for political change.

“We are united by a common goal: first, the patriotism we feel for our country, and second, the overthrow of the current government and the entire system that has kept young people’s energy suppressed. That energy has spilled into the square, and the people are finally demanding change. What unites people are their hardships and problems, which they share. There, we consider ourselves one big family. The square has brought us together so that we can carry this protest forward. Our fight is solely against the government and the system,” Ilir Xhemalaj said.

Xhemalaj said that the protest has achieved a great deal, but listed its three greatest accomplishments:

“First, 79 days of protest. Has Albania ever seen protests lasting this many days? No. We are at a moment when we must bring about change. Albania has never seen protests like these.

“Second, young people have come to the square. Young people used to sit in cafés or leave the country, whereas today they are in the square, fighting tooth and nail against this system because they want to remain in this country.

“Third, the world has finally seen that the emperor has no clothes; it has seen the reality of who Albania’s prime minister is. They saw that he was a prime minister from a bygone era. He is a prime minister who no longer has a place in Albania. Today, we need young men and women who can give Albania what they want. I have been waiting 36 years for Albania to become Europe. They must resign and make way for the youth,” Xhemalaj declared.