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Activist Ilir Xhemalaj called on intellectuals from the 44th protest to join the citizens in the square against the Rama government. He also thanked singer Dua Lipa for her statements on the podcast with Lea Ypi, in support of the protest cause.
"We here in this square have a big family, and we have our own divisions, our own minds. What has united us here is this square and our goal of overthrowing the government, the system, and Edi Rama."
Today I want to call on intellectuals to overcome fear, to step out of their comfort zone and come to the square and defeat fear and take the fate of the country into their own hands. I had a thank you to Dua Lipa who decided to line up on the square here and raise her voice against injustice. I call on artists to raise their voice and come to the square. We will be here until the realization of the 5 points, first the overthrow of the Rama government , "he said.
Speeches in front of the Prime Minister's Office have continued with strong tones from youth representatives. One of them, Erion Murataj, addressed thousands of protesters gathered on the 44th day of the civic revolt, declaring that the protest demands responsibility for the entire political class.
In his speech, Murataj said that the slogan representing the movement is the punishment of two main figures in Albanian politics.
" Our anthem is: Rama in prison, Berisha in prison! ", he said amid cheers from protesters.
Murataj further made a statement regarding developments in the United States, claiming that a procedure has been initiated in the American Congress to investigate the Albanian government.
" Dear sisters and brothers, my name is Erion Murataj. I have some news to give. The first is that these people have been badly repressed. The second is that an hour ago, in the American Congress, a request by congressmen for an investigation of the Albanian government and Edi Rama was secreted for an investigation into international drug trafficking! ", he declared.
Following his speech, Murataj also reacted to the labels that, according to the protesters, have been made against them in recent weeks.
" For many days they have called us Serbian agents, Greeks, they have called us Russians, I am waiting for them to call us Africans. This square today, when more than a month has passed, represents freedom and democracy. And do you know why? Because Rama in the Prime Minister's office and Sali Berisha there, are out to kill democracy and freedom, while we are here for Albania to live! ", he said.
The protest in front of the Prime Minister's Office continues with the participation of thousands of citizens, who demand the resignation of the government, a change in the political system, and holding the leaders of the political class accountable.
A young man who participated in the 44th protest in front of the Prime Minister's Office criticized the government for the way it uses public funds, referring to the amount of 4.2 million euros spent on organizing the Kanye West concert.
He stressed that while the country faces fires during the summer season, there is a lack of investment in equipment and capacity to deal with emergencies. The protester accused the government of reacting to criticism by attacking protesters.
"Rama and his 'goons' said that these 30 thousand people would generate millions of euros. We succeeded, we held the concert. We gave 4.2 billion Albanians for tickets to patrons. Now in this fire season, we don't have a plane to put out fires. Will Rama feel ashamed that 4.2 million euros don't go to Albanians?! We don't even have those search dogs when earthquakes strike. The first thing those in government do is despise us for worrying that they are stealing. Rama and his goons said that these 30 thousand people would generate millions of euros ," he said.
The 44th national protest against the government has reached the "Martyrs of the Nation" boulevard, where the first speeches have begun in front of the Prime Minister's Office building.
One of the first speakers was activist Andi Tepelena, who said that after 44 days of protest, a new hope has been born to fulfill, according to him, the mission launched in 1991.
He stated that youth, both those living in Albania and the diaspora, are the force that will bring change and end the current system.
" A month ago, a great hope was born. Citizens and youth have risen up to overthrow this regime, right where we left it in 1991. It is these young people who live here and in the diaspora, who are eagerly waiting to be freed from this corrupt system, to overthrow this corrupt caste that is holding the country's development hostage ," declared Tepelena.
According to him, Albania has great human potential, but this potential is not being utilized.
" Albania is full of talent, with talented people in every field, and they are the ones who will take the country's destiny into their own hands ," the activist said.
At the end of his speech, Tepelena also referred to the reactions of the international factor, mentioning Germany.
" Today Germany stands by the Albanians. For the second time, the German ambassador to Albania has reaffirmed the importance of protest as a democratic right ," he declared to protesters gathered in front of the Prime Minister's Office.
A protester from the 44th rally in front of the Prime Minister's Office called on citizens not to go on vacation this summer, but to join the protest.
He said that for 44 days, citizens have conveyed the message that they are demanding more justice, jobs and a better future in the country. He also emphasized that the purpose of the protest, according to him, is to create conditions so that Albanians are not forced to leave the country.
"For 44 days you have told this government that you do not want theft, you want peace and more work. Above all, for 44 days, this square has shown that it loves its brothers and their families in Albania. We do not want to leave. We want to build our future in Albania. We are here for a new Albania. There will be no holidays for Albanians this year. Holidays will be held on Dëshmorët e Kombit Boulevard. So you will take holidays for the rest of your life, but this year, I call on you; boycott the holidays! ", he said.
The 44th protest against the government is taking place today. An Albanian who has been living in Greece for years has joined the 44th protest taking place in Tirana, expressing his dissatisfaction with the political class.
He said he had come to be part of the protest and spoke out against Prime Minister Edi Rama and opposition leader Sali Berisha.
"I have been in Greece for years. I am Edi Rama's polyagent. They have strangled us. We will protest against Rama and Berisha. They have a secret agreement ," he said.
As the protests enter their second month, the battle against Edi Rama is expected to take on an international dimension. Various sources speak of a campaign that could be launched in the US and combined with European pressure to produce a new political solution in Albania...
Edi Rama would not be at all worried about the "Flamingo Revolution" if he were only faced with the actors we see every day in the square.
Nor their supporters.
Even though they are numerous and represent a large mass of dissatisfied citizens.
In a survey published by a government-affiliated media outlet, around 40 percent of respondents stated that they would vote for a new party, while around 50 percent said they would vote for traditional parties, with the Socialist Party not exceeding the 34 percent threshold.
According to sources close to the majority, the internal polls conducted by Edi Rama present an even more problematic situation.
It is precisely for this reason that he is trying to keep the consolidation of new political factors as far away as possible, using the well-known "Divide et Impera" strategy.
Edi Rama's biggest delusion is the belief that his departure is being prepared outside Albania and that behind this process are much more powerful actors than those seen in the protest.
Starting from some of the main countries of the European Union to influential lobbies in the United States.
Dua Lipa's public outcry, demanding the removal of Edi Rama, is just the beginning of a larger wave expected to come from the United States next month.
According to sources, well-known names from Hollywood and the world of showbiz are expected to engage in a broad campaign against the investment project in Zvërnec and Sazan.
This campaign, in all likelihood, will not focus only on Albania.
The main target is expected to be the Trump family and the Republican camp, using the Albanian case and the agreement with Edi Rama as an example in the American political debate.
By the time the US midterm elections come around, this battle is expected to take on an even greater dimension.
At that stage, according to this interpretation, important figures from the American Democratic Party are expected to be involved, who will use the Albanian issue as part of their clash with the Trump family.
If such a scenario comes to fruition, it could become the greatest international challenge Edi Rama has ever faced.
According to this perspective, he will not only find it difficult to defend himself, but may also be severely damaged politically.
Frequent visits to Paris and rapprochement with Emmanuel Macron are seen as attempts to alleviate this situation.
However, sources close to the majority indicate that the climate is much more severe than it appears publicly.
Edi Rama himself, according to them, is convinced that Europe is pursuing a well-coordinated strategy towards him.
A game where Emmanuel Macron offers the "carrot", while Friedrich Merz uses the "stick".
A combination of pressure and dialogue, aimed at weakening him politically to the point of departure.
According to the same sources, precisely at the moment when this process reaches its peak, proposals for managing the Albanian political crisis are expected to emerge from Europe.
The discussion mentions the possibility of a new government led by the Socialist Party, but with a figure seen as closer to the spirit of the protest.
So far, the name that is circulating the most is Ditmir Bushati.
However, the possibility that other candidacies with a similar profile may emerge is not ruled out.
According to this scenario, such a government would continue its mandate until 2029, but on the basis of a package of profound political and institutional reforms./ Pamphlet
Citizens and activists have gathered again in front of the government building, reiterating that the protests will continue until their demands are met.
The 44th protest in front of the Prime Minister's Office building began this Monday evening, where dozens of citizens, civil society activists, and residents of affected areas gathered to demand the removal of Edi Rama.
As in previous protests, participants gathered on "Deshmorët e Kombit" Boulevard, in front of the Prime Minister's Office building, holding banners and calling for political change.
The same chants have been heard at the rally since day one: "Rama in prison, Berisha in prison", "Rama resigns" and "New Albania".
An Albanian immigrant, who has been living and working in Greece for years, has joined the 44th protest taking place in front of the Prime Minister's Office in Tirana, expressing his dissatisfaction with the political class in the country.
In a statement to the media from the protest square, he stated that he had come specifically to participate in the rally and addressed criticism towards both Prime Minister Edi Rama and the leader of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha.
"I have been in Greece for years. I am Edi Rama's polyagent. They have strangled us. We will protest against Rama and Berisha. They have a secret agreement," he said.
Also present at the protest is French MEP Emma Fourreau, who is in Tirana. During the day, she held a meeting with independent MP Marjana Koçeku, where they discussed issues related to environmental protection and civic engagement.
The protest is expected to continue in the coming hours, while organizers have announced that they will hold speeches and publicly present their positions.
This evening's protest marks the 44th consecutive rally in front of the Prime Minister's Office, confirming the protesters' determination to continue the mobilization and keep up the pressure on institutions.
Yesterday evening, as on the other 43 days, after the rally in front of the Prime Minister's Office, the protesters marched through the streets of Tirana, passing through the former block area, to then go out to "Mother Teresa" Square, from where they headed again to "Dëshmorët e Kombit" Boulevard and the government building.
French MEP and activist for environmental protection and social issues, Emma Fourreau, has arrived in Tirana, where she expressed her support for the protest taking place in the capital.
Fourreau met with independent MP Marjana Koçeku, who left the Socialist Party after the start of protests against the government.
Koçek himself announced the news through a post on social media, where he also published details from the conversation with the French MEP.
According to her, the focus of the meeting was environmental protection, as well as the importance of civic and political commitment to preserving nature.
"Nature does not recognize parties. Nature does not negotiate with wrong decisions. It either defends itself or loses ," Koçek wrote in her reaction.
The MP emphasized that environmental protection should not be seen as an obstacle to economic development, but as an indicator of the responsibility of institutions towards citizens and European standards.
"Protecting nature is not an obstacle to development. It is the greatest proof of a state's responsibility towards its citizens and towards the Europe it aims to politically join ," she said.
"With the French MEP and activist for environmental protection and social issues, Emma Fourreau, who came to Tirana to support the protest. We talked about the issue of the environment and the importance of civic and political engagement in protecting nature. The environment knows no parties. Nature does not negotiate with wrong decisions. It is either protected or lost. Protecting nature is not an obstacle to development. It is the greatest proof of a state's responsibility towards its citizens and towards Europe, which it aims to unite politically." - writes Koçeku.
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