Day 52 of the Protest: Citizens Take to the Streets Again, Demand Prime Minister Rama’s Resignation

Today, Albanian citizens will hold their 52nd 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 incident in Zvërnec, culminated in demands for Prime Minister Edi Rama’s resignation. Carrying placards and red-and-black flags, protesters have called for change. The protest has brought together children, the elderly, 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 with Albania,” “Rama, resign,” “Without youth, there is no Albania,” “Down with the patronage network,” “Albania belongs to Albanians, death to traitors,” “Albania demands a revolution,” “Erion, you scumbag, wait for Rama because he’s on his way,” 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 the office of prime minister to no more than two terms, whether full or partial, over the course of an individual’s entire political career.

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

5. 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.