Day 51 of Protest: Citizens Take to the Square Again, Demand Prime Minister Rama’s Resignation

Today, Albanian citizens will hold their 51st protest demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. They will initially gather in Skanderbeg Square before marching toward the Prime Minister’s Office, where they will deliver their speeches.

The protest, which began as a direct response to the situation in Zvërnec, culminated in demands for Prime Minister Edi Rama’s resignation. Holding placards and red-and-black flags, the protesters have called for change. The protest has brought together children, older people, students, professionals, activists and tourists.

Citizens have demanded that five demands be met, including the non-negotiable resignation of Prime Minister Rama, the formation of a technical government and constitutional amendments.

During yesterday’s march, protesters chanted in unison: “Edi Rama, you traitor, do not bargain away Albania,” “Rama, resign,” “Without young people, there is no Albania,” “Down with the patronage system operatives,” “Albania belongs to Albanians, death to traitors,” “Albania demands revolution,” “Erion, you scumbag, wait for Rama because he is coming,” and “Your end has come.”

The protesters’ demands:

1. The non-negotiable resignation of the prime minister and the government.

2. The formation of a transitional, non-partisan technical government with a 12-month mandate.

3. Constitutional amendments ensuring that all Albanian citizens are equal before the law, as well as their approval through a popular referendum, including, among other things: amendments to the Electoral Code, amendments to the law on the financing of political parties and various organizations, and limiting service as prime minister to no more than two terms, whether full or partial, throughout an individual’s entire political career.

4. At the same time, they demand the repeal of the amendments to the law on protected areas, the repeal of the amendments to the law on cultural heritage, the repeal of the Mountains Package, and the abolition of the status and legal framework for strategic investments.

5. They demand a new social contract between citizens and the state, to be drafted following consultations with intellectuals, technical experts and non-partisan citizens nominated by those gathered in the protest square.