Minute by minute/ All of Albania stands against the government, protests erupt from the South to the North

Current views from the protest

Unlike political protests that fade with the passing of days, civic mobilization is gaining ground, with participation increasing day by day and citizens standing for hours in front of the Prime Minister's Office.

Prime Minister Edi Rama's attempt to downplay the citizen protest seems to be clashing with the reality on the ground. While the head of government released drone footage and claimed that participation has never exceeded 8,000 people, the square in front of the Prime Minister's Office has shown a different picture: citizens who continue to join the protest even after it has been going on for hours and a mobilization that is gradually expanding.

Unlike traditional political protests, which usually lose participants over time due to fatigue or disappointment with the organizers, the civic protest has followed an opposite trajectory. Each day has brought more people to the square, while support has spread from Tirana to other cities in the country and to the Albanian diaspora in Europe.

Footage from recent days has shown that protesters do not leave after speeches or an hour of rallying. On the contrary, they remain for hours in front of the Prime Minister's Office, while all the while new citizens continue to join the crowd. This is also why many of the footage published at certain moments fail to reflect the real number of participants at the height of the protest.

At the center of the revolt is no longer just a controversial project or a certain decision-making. The protest has become an expression of accumulated dissatisfaction with 13 years of governance. On banners and slogans, messages such as "Rama go away", "Resign", "Edi Rama must leave" are constantly heard, but also the demand for the punishment of the entire political class that, according to the protesters, has failed to represent the interests of the citizens.

For many of them, the problem is no longer just the current government, but an entire political model that has produced mass emigration, a lack of hope for young people, salaries and pensions that do not keep pace with the cost of living, and a deep sense of distrust in institutions.

While Rama tries to convince public opinion that the protests are being artificially inflated, the reality on the ground is showing the opposite. After seven days of mobilization, participation has not only not shrunk, but has expanded. And this remains perhaps the strongest message of the protest: citizens are not leaving, but are increasing.

History teacher in protest

A history teacher has joined the protest held in front of the Prime Minister's Office, conveying a strong message to his colleagues and the role of teachers in society.

From the protest podium, he stated that the teacher's mission does not end within the walls of the classroom, but is related to supporting the younger generation and committing to its future.

In an appeal to teachers across the country, he urged them to stand by students, arguing that important moments for society require engagement and not just discussions within educational institutions.

"I am a teacher who has stood by my students. I am a history teacher. I cannot explain history in class, the class is here. I appeal to my colleagues, enough complaining in the halls, stand by your students and do your mission. Stop complaining, but be at least like your students!", he declared.

The teacher's speech was greeted with applause by the protesters present, while his message focused on the responsibility that, according to him, educators have to be close to young people even beyond the teaching process.

Banner at the protest

In a message in English addressed to international media, Rama claims that the protest did not exceed 8,000 people, while the footage he published was filmed before the full arrival of the protesters in front of the Prime Minister's Office.

While thousands of citizens filled the boulevard in front of the Prime Minister's Office and the protest spread to several cities in the country, Prime Minister Edi Rama chose to address the international public with a lengthy response in English, where he tried to minimize the scale of the mobilization and the coverage the protests have received in the world media. Rama used images from his own media outlets, trying to show that the protest has no support. 

In his post, published in English and addressed to international media, including CNN, Rama claims that Saturday's protest only gathered around 2,000 people and that at no point did it exceed the figure of 8,000 participants.

" Up to this point, today's protest has gathered approximately 2,000 participants. It is the lowest turnout so far, but even at its peak, participation has never exceeded 8,000 people. So how is it possible that what the world has seen in recent days seems so big, so dramatic and so impressive? At a moment when the digital hysteria of these days has passed and emotions have calmed down, the democratic world must analyze how the gap between reality and the way it has been presented became so large ," Rama wrote.

However, the footage released by the prime minister does not show the moment when the protest reached its peak. The drone video was taken at a time when many citizens were still marching towards the Prime Minister's Office and when other groups were continuously joining the rally. A little later, the area in front of the government building was filled with protesters, while the rally continued for hours.

In another part of the message, Rama expressed surprise at the way the protest has become international news, suggesting that reality has been distorted by the media and social networks.

" How could a small country become global news for reasons so disconnected from reality on the ground? How could a local protest with a few thousand people turn into an international spectacle? How could assumptions turn into facts, narratives into verdicts, and speculations into accepted truths before the basic facts were established? And perhaps most importantly, what does this say about our information ecosystem when perception can travel around the world faster than reality itself? ", the prime minister said.

The head of government went even further, claiming that the echo of the protest has been artificially inflated by social networks and anonymous profiles.

" From this simple situation arose a hurricane of digital hysteria, apocalyptic headlines, artificially produced anger and general conclusions presented as proven facts. Along the way there were manipulated images, fabricated claims, anonymous networks and online behavior that bear many of the characteristics of hybrid information warfare. A significant part of the increase in activity on social networks seems to have been driven not by the organic expansion of public participation, but by the rapid spread of new profiles, anonymous accounts and pages with no identifiable history ," Rama declared.

The prime minister's reaction comes at a time when the protest has spread beyond Tirana and has spread to several cities in the country, while it has also received support from the Albanian diaspora in London, Vienna, Milan, Berlin and other European cities. For many protesters, the fact that Rama chose to address international media in English is an indication that the attention the protest has received abroad is increasingly worrying the government.

Thousands of phone flashes illuminate the boulevard

The square is illuminated by thousands of lights, creating a special atmosphere and giving another dimension to the civic gathering.

An impressive sight enveloped the "Martyrs of the Nation" boulevard on Friday evening, where thousands of citizens gathered in protest in front of the Prime Minister's Office building turned on the lights of their phones.

As darkness fell, the square was illuminated by thousands of lights, creating a special atmosphere and giving another dimension to the civic gathering.

Footage from the protest shows a sea of ​​lights covering the boulevard, while participants continued to stand in front of the Prime Minister's Office.

This moment was accompanied by applause and shouts from the protesters, while the flashing lights of their phones were interpreted by them as a symbol of hope, unity, and civic participation.

The atmosphere on the boulevard remained heated even after sunset, as the protest continued with the participation of thousands of citizens coming from different areas of the country.

The Flamingo Revolution shakes up politics

Protests have been ongoing in Tirana and other cities across the country for more than two hours. Citizens are demanding a new Albania and an end to the 35-year transition.

For more than two hours, thousands of citizens have continued to stand in front of the Prime Minister's Office in the largest protest since the movement began a week ago. Meanwhile, rallies and marches are taking place in parallel in Shkodër, Korçë, Elbasan and other cities, while the Albanian diaspora has taken to the streets in London, Vienna, Milan, Berlin and Munich.

What began as a civic reaction has transformed into what protesters now call the "Flamingo Revolution," a movement that has transcended any single cause and is articulating a clear message against the political class that has governed the country for decades.

On the boulevard, not only calls against Edi Rama are heard. One of the strongest slogans of the protest has become "Rama in prison, Berisha in prison", a message that aims to hit the entire political establishment. For the protesters, the problem is not just a government or a party, but a system that, according to them, has produced corruption, emigration, inequality and disillusionment.

The crowd includes young people, retirees, families with children, students and returning immigrants. Many of them say that for the first time in many years they feel like they are speaking with a common voice.

The protest is also sending a political message that has not gone unnoticed. While Sali Berisha organized protests for months without managing to mobilize similar participation, the current movement is gathering citizens who do not identify with traditional parties and who are seeking a new path for the country.

Photo by Isa Myzyraj

The banners read "Homeland is not for sale", "Albania is not for sale", "Resign", "Rama go", while many citizens also hold messages against corruption, emigration and state capture.

Essentially, the protest is not just raising an objection. It is raising a big question about the future of the country: who does Albania belong to? Its citizens or a privileged minority that decides about public assets, territory, and the future of younger generations?

As the evening progresses and the crowd lingers in the square, one thing seems clear: Albanians are demanding more than a change of government. They are demanding a new Albania. An Albania where citizens are not spectators, but decision-makers. An Albania where emigration is not the only path and where power is not seen as the property of a handful of people.

After seven days of protests, the message emerging from the squares of Albania and Europe is strong: a part of Albanian society believes that the time has come for a new chapter. / Pamphlet

Citizens of Fier protest

With the call "Get up from the coffee shop", citizens of Fier have gathered in the city's central square in the next protest against the government of Prime Minister Edi Rama.

During their speech, the protesters opposed the government's policies, accusing it of selling public property and policies that, according to them, have impoverished citizens.

They focused particularly on the coast of Fier County, which they said has been made available to private interests.

Protesters have called on Prime Minister Rama to confront the revolted citizens, emphasizing that he cannot continue to ignore their dissatisfaction and concerns.

At the same time, they have also called on the justice institutions to respond to the citizens' demands, citing the slogans "Rama in prison" and "Berisha in prison." According to the protesters, if justice does not act, the responsibility will remain with the citizens themselves to demand accountability.

Hundreds of Albanians gathered in the Austrian capital with red and black flags and banners. Support for the protests in Albania and calls for political change.

Vienna has joined the map of protests by Albanians in the diaspora, as hundreds of immigrants have gathered in the center of the Austrian capital to express support for the protests taking place in Albania.

With national flags, banners, and strong messages, participants marched through the city streets demanding political change and expressing their dissatisfaction with the government in Albania.

Protesters' banners carried messages such as "Albania is not for sale", "The Motherland Calls", as well as other slogans in defense of the public interest and against what the protesters consider the sale of national assets. There was also no shortage of banners with ironic notes, where young people expressed their opposition to concretization and urban developments that, according to them, are damaging the country's identity and natural heritage.

The protesters have stated that even though they live outside Albania, they feel connected to developments in the country and consider it a moral obligation to support civic causes. According to them, emigration has not disconnected them from Albania's problems, but on the contrary has made them more sensitive to the challenges faced by their families and relatives.

The rally in Vienna comes on the same day as protests are taking place in Tirana, Shkodër, Korça, Elbasan and other cities, while similar mobilizations have also been organized in London, Berlin, Munich and Milan.

Participants in the Vienna protest declared that they will continue to support the civic movement and the demands of the protesters in Albania, considering the engagement of the diaspora as an important part of public pressure for change.

Journalist Osman Stafa

Journalist Osman Stafa, speaking to thousands of citizens gathered on the boulevard, challenged skepticism about the country's future. He stressed that the massive turnout of people at the protest is the best proof that Albania has hope for change.

During his speech, the journalist focused on the contrast between the lack of basic conditions in hospitals and the spending that, according to him, is being made on luxury projects. He raised concerns about cancer patients, who, according to him, face a shortage of medicines and medical equipment.

"They told us that this country is not being built, but this image here shows the opposite. This country is being built! Is there corruption in Albania? Is there healthcare? Oil prices are skyrocketing. How are we going to live? We say there is no healthcare, they say Iran. We say there is no education, they say Soros, we say there are no salaries, they say Greek… No, no, they are afraid, they are in panic that when the people take to the streets, there are no more mandates.

There are no medicines in hospitals, no equipment. Cancer cannot be cured without equipment and medicines! Meanwhile, this state spends money on the Garden of Eden in the prime minister's office with 4.3 million euros from our taxes and cancer patients have no medicines. We have launched two satellites and the patients have no medicines. This is our reality and there is someone responsible! Do you know that an orphan in Albania receives 15 thousand lek per month, while luxury, 10 thousand euros to wash cars in a month here! " , he said.

At the end of his speech, Stafa also spoke about the political situation in the country, arguing that the lack of political rotation has affected Albania's democratic development.

"They say why now? It's been 36 years? Since I was born, 7 US presidents have changed, while here only two individuals," said Stafa.

The Albanian diaspora mobilizes in support of the protests at home. Red and black flags, banners and calls for political change in the heart of the British capital.

Hundreds of Albanians have gathered in London in an organized protest in support of the rallies that have been taking place in Albania for days. With national flags, banners and calls against the government, the Albanian diaspora has shown that it is closely following developments in the country and is showing solidarity with citizens protesting in Tirana and other cities.

Photos from the protest show a significant turnout of Albanian immigrants, who have filled the streets of the British capital with red and black colors. The banners display strong messages against mass immigration, corruption and the economic situation in Albania, while there is no shortage of political slogans that have accompanied the protests of recent days.

"Albania is not for sale," "The time has come to get out," and other anti-government messages dominated the protest, where participants demanded political change and more responsibility from Albanian institutions.

Protesters in London emphasized that leaving Albania has not detached them from the country's problems and that many of them feel compelled to react due to the continued emigration of young people, lack of perspective, and dissatisfaction with the political class.

The rally was peaceful, with participants declaring that they will continue to support the ongoing protests in Albania. Organizers said that the diaspora's reaction is growing by the day and that other cities with large Albanian communities are organizing similar activities.

The protest in London comes at a time when civic rallies in Albania have entered their seventh day, while the movement has also found support in other European countries, turning the diaspora's reaction into one of the most prominent developments of recent days.

Protester warns Rama

The anti-government protests continue during speeches held in front of the Prime Minister's Office. One of the protesters made strong accusations against Prime Minister Edi Rama and appealed to the security forces not to fear the government.

Speaking from the podium before thousands of citizens gathered on the boulevard, he declared that the protesters will continue their mobilization until the government leaves, while warning that citizen dissatisfaction is growing day by day.

"You wicked old man, you are 61 years old, but we are the youth! We have vowed to be here every day until you are thrown out of your undeserved chair. We will be here every day. Don't force the crowd to lose control, make mistakes, and bring Tirana to collapse," he said.

Following his speech, the protester also addressed employees of the State Police and the Republic Guard, inviting them to not be afraid and to stand on the side of the citizens.

"Let's encourage the police and the guard to overcome their fear. They are afraid that his own guards and the Republican Guard will slip up and make a big mistake and drag him here with their own hands ," he declared.

The speech was greeted with cheers and applause from the participants in the protest, which is taking place in front of the Prime Minister's Office for the seventh consecutive day. Unlike the first few days, the protest has focused mainly on demands for the government's resignation, while organizers have warned that the mobilization will continue in the coming days.

Professor Lush Susaj

Renowned professor Lush Susaj delivered one of the strongest speeches at the protest held in front of the Prime Minister's Office, addressing thousands of citizens gathered on the boulevard with harsh accusations against the government and calls for continued civic mobilization.

At the beginning of his speech, Susaj praised the presence of mothers and children at the protest, considering it a significant moment in the civic movement.

" The mothers and babies who are the angels of Albania came out to the square. I express gratitude to every protester and the mothers of Albania have signed with their own hand the overthrow of the most filthy dictatorship ," he declared amid applause from the protesters.

The professor harshly criticized the way of governance in recent years, describing the transition period as a time wasted under the influence of corruption and abuse of public assets.

According to him, citizens are reacting to a governance model that has produced emigration, poverty and disappointment, while emphasizing that the protest has entered a phase where, according to him, it can no longer be stopped.

During his speech, Susaj also spoke about Albania's western orientation and the importance of relations with strategic partners, expressing support for the European Union, the United States of America, and foreign investors.

At the end of the speech, the professor addressed his colleagues in the education and university system, calling on them to join the protesters.

" I call on the teachers and professors of Albania, my esteemed colleagues, to come to the square alongside your students ," declared Susaj.

His speech was received with ovations from the crowd gathered in front of the Prime Minister's Office, where the protest continues with high participation and continuous calls for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama and the removal of the government.

Fëmijët pikturojnë në protestë

Mes mijëra qytetarëve të mbledhur në bulevardin “Dëshmorët e Kombit”, një kënd i veçantë ka spikatur gjatë protestës së së shtunës para Kryeministrisë. Ndërsa të rriturit vijojnë tubimin kundër qeverisë, fëmijët kanë gjetur mënyrën e tyre për të qenë pjesë e atmosferës përmes artit dhe krijimtarisë.

Prindër që kanë marrë me vete fëmijët në protestë kanë organizuar një hapësirë të posaçme ku të vegjlit mund të pikturojnë dhe të kalojnë kohën në mënyrë kreative. Në asfalt janë vendosur letra, tabakë vizatimi dhe bojëra, ndërsa fëmijët shfaqin talentin e tyre përmes vizatimeve shumëngjyrëshe.

Pamjet nga vendngjarja tregojnë të mitur të përqendruar në punimet e tyre artistike, larg zhurmës së thirrjeve politike, por në të njëjtën kohë pjesë e atmosferës së protestës që ka mbushur qendrën e kryeqytetit.

Ky kënd është kthyer në një nga momentet më të veçanta të tubimit, duke sjellë një kontrast me mesazhet politike dhe pankartat që dominojnë protestën. Shumë qytetarë janë ndalur për të parë vizatimet e fëmijëve dhe për të fotografuar momentet e krijuara prej tyre.

Protesta e ditës së shtatë është karakterizuar jo vetëm nga pjesëmarrja masive dhe thirrjet kundër qeverisë, por edhe nga prania e familjeve të shumta, të cilat kanë zgjedhur të marrin pjesë së bashku në tubim. Përmes këtij këndi artistik, organizatorët dhe prindërit kanë synuar t'u krijojnë fëmijëve një ambient të sigurt dhe argëtues gjatë qëndrimit në bulevard.

The protester who is fighting cancer

One of the most moving moments of the protest held in front of the Prime Minister's Office was the testimony of a citizen who said that he has been battling cancer for three years. His speech was greeted with long applause and emotions from the thousands of protesters gathered on the boulevard.

Speaking from the podium, he denounced the situation in the healthcare system and especially in the Oncology Hospital, for which he used strong comparisons, describing it as a symbol of the failure of institutions towards patients.

"I am a citizen who has been suffering from cancer for 3 years. I will defeat this disease. Not more than 3 kilometers from here is a crematorium where 20 thousand people have died. Is it an Auschwitz? It is the shame of this building, of this country, of 35 years," he declared.

Following his speech, the protester called on citizens to continue mobilizing and not to retreat from their cause, linking health issues to the responsibility of state institutions.

His speech became one of the most commented moments of the protest, as many of those present joined his calls with applause and cheers.

Protest in Shkodra

The wave of citizen protests has also spread to Korça, where dozens of citizens have gathered in the city center to express their dissatisfaction with the government and demand the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama.

With banners in their hands and national flags, the protesters have repeated the calls that have been heard for days in Tirana, demanding the resignation of the head of government and a change in the political course in the country. Citizens of different ages were seen among the crowd, who have declared that the protest is no longer related only to a specific issue, but to the accumulated dissatisfaction with the government.

Korça has thus joined an increasingly widening map of protests taking place in parallel in several cities across Albania. Rallies have also been reported in Shkodra, where citizens have marched through the city's main streets with anti-corruption banners and messages for the protection of the public interest.

Protest organizers have called for the mobilization to not be limited to Tirana, but to extend to every city and community, turning the movement into a national response. This call seems to be gaining support, as more and more citizens are taking to the streets to express their dissatisfaction.

While the central protest continues in front of the Prime Minister's Office in Tirana, rallies in Korça, Shkodra and other cities are showing that the movement is taking on an increasingly wider territorial reach, with clear political demands and a focus on the removal of Edi Rama's government.

Protester from Pristina ignites protest

Amidst the cheers of the protesters, a citizen from Kosovo called for resistance, declaring that Kosovo Albanians are on the side of the protest in Tirana.

Among the thousands of protesters gathered in front of the Prime Minister's Office, the attention of those present was drawn to the speech of a citizen from Pristina, who expressed the support of Kosovo Albanians for the protest taking place in Tirana.

Speaking to the crowd, he called on the protesters not to back down from their cause and to continue their resistance against the government.

"I have come from Pristina! I have only one prayer for you, do not give up, resist and you will win! Kosovo is with you, Kosovo is with mother Albania. Down with dictatorship, long live the revolution!" he declared, amidst applause and cheers from the participants.

His speech was enthusiastically received by the crowd, which responded with cheers and ovations. The presence of citizens from Kosovo was considered by the organizers as a sign of solidarity and support for the protest, which has taken on a broadly anti-government character for days.

Saturday's protest was dominated by calls against the government, demands for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, and criticism of the political class.

The participation of Albanians from Kosovo and the messages of solidarity coming from the Albanian diaspora in various European countries have been presented by the organizers as evidence that the protest has transcended the boundaries of a local cause and has transformed into a movement with broader national resonance.

The atmosphere in front of the Prime Minister's Office has been further heated by the speeches given by the protesters, who have continued with direct accusations against Prime Minister Edi Rama and his governance model.

One of the protesters spoke before the gathered crowd and mocked one of the expressions often used by the prime minister, publicly asking where the promised "Rome" is after more than a decade in power.

" Rome was not built in a day. It has been 13 years. What is your Rome? It is the Rome of your friends' towers. You will drive us out and build your Rome. Do not forgive, Albanian sisters and brothers, " he declared, as the crowd responded with cheers and applause.

The speech focused on the exodus of Albanians from the country, the rising cost of living, and accusations that the development promoted by the government is not translating into improved conditions for ordinary citizens. According to the protester, the only beneficiaries of government policies are a small group of people connected to power.

Amidst calls of "Resign", "Rama go away" and "Edi Rama is finished", he appealed to citizens to continue the resistance and not withdraw from the protest.

At the end of his speech, the protester gave a message that was enthusiastically received by those present, linking the resistance in the square to the massive emigration of Albanians in recent years.

"For every Albanian who was forced to flee, we are not fleeing this square," he declared, as thousands of protesters erupted in applause.

The rally in front of the Prime Minister's Office is continuing with high participation, while the organizers have warned that the protest will continue until the presented demands are met, the main one remaining being the resignation of the government.

Pankartat pikante ne protestë

Krahas thirrjeve politike dhe kërkesave kundër qeverisë, protestuesit përdorën humorin, ironinë dhe satirën për të përcjellë mesazhet e tyre.

Një poster i frymëzuar nga “Red Dead Redemption”, ku Edi Rama, Sali Berisha dhe Flamur Noka paraqiteshin si personazhe të një filmi western, një pankartë me mbishkrimin “Protestën e organizoj unë. Më paguajnë me akullore” dhe mesazhi “Vajzat e bukura janë duke protestuar” ishin ndër momentet që tërhoqën më shumë vëmendjen në protestën e së shtunës në Tiranë.

Krahas thirrjeve politike dhe kërkesave kundër qeverisë, protestuesit përdorën humorin, ironinë dhe satirën për të përcjellë mesazhet e tyre. Një nga pankartat më të fotografuara ishte ajo me mbishkrimin “Absolute Corruption”, ku shfaqej fotografia e kryeministrit Edi Rama, ndërsa një tjetër montazh satirik paraqiste Ramën dhe Berishën në një skenë të krijuar me inteligjencë artificiale, shoqëruar me mbishkrimin humoristik “Epo ja që bije rrufeja e në hale”.

Pankartat u bënë shpejt objekt komentesh dhe fotografish në rrjetet sociale, duke i dhënë protestës një dimension tjetër përveç mesazheve politike që dominuan tubimin.

Ndërkohë, mijëra qytetarë u mblodhën në sheshin “Skënderbej” dhe më pas marshuan drejt Kryeministrisë, në ditën e shtatë të protestave kundër qeverisë dhe në mbështetje të kauzës së Zvërnecit. Në tubim morën pjesë qytetarë të moshave të ndryshme, aktivistë të shoqërisë civile dhe familjarë të ardhur nga zona të ndryshme të vendit.

Një tjetër pankartë që tërhoqi vëmendjen ishte ajo e mbajtur nga pjesëtarë të diasporës, ku shkruhej: "Na përzunë ndër vite, sot të përzëmë ne ty!". Mesazhi, i shoqëruar me simbolikën e emigrantëve shqiptarë jashtë vendit, u interpretua nga protestuesit si një reagim ndaj largimit masiv të shqiptarëve gjatë viteve të fundit dhe një thirrje për ndryshim politik.

Përgjatë marshimit nuk munguan thirrjet kundër qeverisë dhe klasës politike. Protestuesit kërkuan largimin e qeverisë, ndërsa organizatorët përsëritën qëndrimin e tyre se protesta do të vijojë edhe në ditët në vazhdim.

Mes flamujve kombëtarë, pankartave kreative dhe thirrjeve politike, protesta e kësaj të shtune u shndërrua jo vetëm në një manifestim qytetar, por edhe në një skenë ku humori dhe satira u përdorën si forma proteste kundër politikës shqiptare.

Banners in protest

The confiscation of the assets of Edi Rama and Sali Berisha is one of the strongest demands articulated at the start of today's protest in Tirana.

Amid calls for their imprisonment, participants demanded that the assets of Prime Minister Edi Rama and Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha be subject to confiscation and returned to the state.

"We don't just want prison, but also the confiscation of assets, real confiscation. We want the confiscation of assets that belong to the Albanian people," declared one of the organizers to the crowd gathered in the center of the capital.

Thousands of citizens gathered at 6:00 PM in Skanderbeg Square, marking the seventh day of protests organized against the government and in support of Zvërnec's cause. The rally was attended by young people, the elderly, families with children, civil society activists, and citizens from different parts of the country.

Throughout the protest, there was no shortage of slogans against the political class. " Albania of Albanians, not of traitors," "Berisha in prison, Rama in prison," "Government of crime," "Resignation, resignation," and "Edi Rama is finished" were some of the slogans heard on the boulevard.

The organizers called on participants to maintain the peaceful nature of the protest and to avoid any acts of violence. They also urged caution in the use of flares and smoke bombs due to the risk they may pose to the health of participants.

After gathering at Skanderbeg Square, protesters marched towards the Prime Minister's Office, filling the boulevard with banners, national flags and anti-government slogans. The atmosphere remained tense, as participants demanded the government's resignation and a change in the country's political course.

Among the chants were slogans such as "Down with communism!" and "Down with dictatorship!", while the organizers declared that the protest will continue in the coming days.

Seventh protest in front of the Prime Minister's Office

Massive turnout on the seventh day of protests. The rally has taken on an overtly political character, with calls for the resignation of the prime minister and the removal of the government…

Thousands of citizens have gathered in front of the Prime Minister's Office building in what is considered the largest protest since the start of the civic mobilization a week ago. The boulevard is filled with protesters from Tirana and other cities in the country, while anti-government slogans dominate the atmosphere of the gathering.

"Edi Rama is finished", "Resignation" , "Rama is gone" and "Homeland is not for sale" are some of the slogans that are constantly heard from the crowd gathered in front of the government headquarters. Hundreds of banners are seen in the hands of the protesters, where in addition to criticism of the prime minister, there are also messages against other political figures, including the slogan "Rama in prison, Berisha in prison".

Today's protest proves that the movement has gone beyond opposing the project in Zvërnec. Citizens gathered in front of the Prime Minister's Office consider the rally as a reaction to the way of governance, decision-making without public consultation, and what they consider to be disregard for the interests of citizens.

Organizers recall that the protesters have presented five demands, the main one being the resignation of Edi Rama's government. According to them, the civic anger that initially erupted over Zvërnec has now turned into a clear demand for political change.
While participation continues to grow by the hour, the seventh-day protest marks the culmination of a week of mobilization that has brought thousands of citizens to the streets in Albania and has also found support among the Albanian diaspora in many European countries.