Salianji tells Middle East Eye: Protests against Rama and Berisha, students threatened and police rewarded for violence

Former MP Ervin Salianji gave an interview to Middle East Eye, in which he spoke about the protests against the government, which have been ongoing in the country for around five months.

According to Salianji, the discontent is directed not only at the government, but also at the leader of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha. He claims that Rama and Berisha have created a “silent alliance” and decide themselves who can run for office in their parties, without leaving that right to voters.

“The protests are not only against the government, but also against the opposition leader, Sali Berisha, who has entered into a silent alliance with Rama. Now, within their respective parties, they are the ones who determine the candidates for elections, not the voters, while a small group of people is becoming astonishingly wealthy,” Salianji said.

He said that citizens want to have a role in how the country is governed and that state decision-making should include them.

“People want to be involved in decision-making about how the state is governed,” Salianji declared.

Commenting on developments in recent days, the former MP claimed that Rama has threatened students and public employees taking part in the protests, while offering police officers a €2,500 reward for violence.

“He has threatened students, teachers and public employees who take part in protests, while he has offered police officers a bonus of more than €2,000 for the violence used against the protests,” Salianji added.