FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
Today's Democratic Party protest in Tirana was accompanied by unusual symbolism compared to previous rallies, where American flags were absent from the crowd and those of the European Union, Germany, and Albania dominated.
Unlike other protests, where the US flag has almost always been present, this time it is completely absent, while for the first time the German flag has been visibly noticed.
This choice is being read in the political context of recent developments. Germany is considered one of the countries that has maintained a tough stance towards the Albanian government, especially in relation to the negotiation process, which has faced repeated blockages and reservations regarding issues of the rule of law and clashes with justice.
On the other hand, the absence of the American flag comes at a time when there has been no public reaction from the US on issues of internal debate, including the case of not lifting the immunity of Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, an issue that has been the focus of the opposition.
In this context, the symbolism used in the protest is seen as a political message, with emphasis placed on relations with Europe and especially with Germany, while distancing itself from the usual references to the US.
After tensions at the Ministry of Interior and at the SP headquarters, the protesters marched towards the Tirana Police Directorate.
At the intersection near the building, police forces were deployed in a cordon to prevent the protesters from passing through the institution, stopping their advance. The protesters then marched towards the area of the former block, "Vila 31".
The protest organized by the Democratic Party began with immediate tension in front of the Prime Minister's Office building in Tirana. As soon as the leader of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, along with leaders and supporters arrived at the square, after several calls with megaphones, some of the protesters threw Molotov cocktails and fireworks in the direction of the government building.
In response, police forces intervened using tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd and neutralize the situation.
After the initial clashes, tensions were also reported near the Ministry of Interior and the headquarters of the Socialist Party, where protesters were involved in other incidents during their movement in the city. The protest movement has expanded the perimeter of the rally beyond central institutions, including the main axes of the capital.
After the attack with Molotov cocktails and fireworks on the Prime Minister's Office and the Ministry of Interior building, opposition protesters have moved the rally to the Socialist Party headquarters.
The SP headquarters was surrounded by police, which made it impossible for them to approach the building. However, this did not stop the protesters from throwing Molotov cocktails in front of the SP headquarters courtyard. After this escalation, the police intervened with motorcades and tear gas, which caused the protesters to move again.
We recall that after the escalation of the situation in front of the Prime Minister's Office, part of the crowd left and headed in a group towards the Ministry of Interior. Incidents were also recorded in this area, where protesters threw fireworks and Molotov cocktails towards the building and the police cordon.
In response, the State Police reacted by using tear gas to disperse the crowd and regain control of the situation.
The tensions of the Democratic Party protest have shifted from the Prime Minister's Office to the Ministry of Interior, where new clashes have been recorded between protesters and police forces.
After the escalation of the situation in front of the Prime Minister's Office, part of the crowd left and headed in a group towards the Ministry of Interior, thus changing the focus of the clash to another important institutional point.
Incidents have also been recorded in this area, where protesters have thrown fireworks and Molotov cocktails towards the building and the police cordon, increasing tension on the ground.
In response, the State Police reacted by using tear gas to disperse the crowd and regain control of the situation, while law enforcement increased their presence in the area.
The opposition protest in front of the Prime Minister's Office was closed within minutes. After throwing Molotov cocktails at the Prime Minister's Office building, the protesters were moved from the 'Martyrs of the Nation' Boulevard.
Berisha and other DP deputies began their march through the streets of Tirana, with protesters following behind them.
While there is still no clear idea of ââwhere the next stop for the protesters will be, police have taken measures to secure institutions such as the Parliament, the Prime Minister's Office and the SP Headquarters. The former villa of dictator Enver Hoxha in the former block area has also been secured.
Tensions were noted this evening in front of the Prime Minister's Office, where the Democratic Party protest was accompanied by clashes between protesters and police forces.
According to developments on the ground, some of the protesters have thrown fireworks and Molotov cocktails towards the Prime Minister's Office building and the police cordon, significantly increasing tension in the area.
In response, the State Police intervened by using tear gas on a massive scale to disperse the crowd, while water cannons were also activated on the ground to remove the protesters from the security perimeter.
The situation in front of the Prime Minister's Office appears tense, with constant movement of protesters and repeated interventions by law enforcement to keep the area under control.
The protest comes after the Democratic Party called for mobilization in what it describes as an opposition action against the government, while authorities had previously announced increased security measures to prevent incidents.
The DP takes to the streets again against the government, the institutions, the SP headquarters and Villa 31 are being armored...
The Democratic Party protest has begun in front of the Prime Minister's Office. The opposition is holding its sixth national protest in Tirana today, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. Hundreds of citizens have gathered in front of the Prime Minister's Office, while the leader of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, has left the blue headquarters and is walking towards the boulevard where the protest is taking place, and is expected to join the crowd at the following rally. His movement towards the protest comes at a time when the opposition has intensified calls for participation and escalation of political action.
This protest is taking place in a tense climate, after the last rally degenerated into clashes between protesters and police, where there were also episodes of the use of Molotov cocktails near state institutions. The events of the previous protest have dictated an increased presence of law enforcement and stronger security measures for today's rally.
Around 1,500 police officers have been deployed to ensure order and security, while numerous forces have been deployed to several sensitive points in the capital. The increased police presence has been placed near the former Villa 31, the former residence of Enver Hoxha, which was one of the areas where tensions were registered during the last protest.
Meanwhile, key institutions such as the Prime Minister's Office and the Parliament have been surrounded by metal fences, while similar security measures have been taken near the headquarters of the Socialist Party. These measures aim to prevent any attempts to infiltrate or escalate the situation during the rally.
The protest is taking place without a podium for speeches, following the same format as the previous rally, which suggests a looser form of organization on the ground and a greater focus on protestor participation.
Authorities have also announced traffic restrictions on several main axes of Tirana, while police have called on citizens to avoid areas where protests are taking place and to distance themselves from any possible violent acts.
It remains to be seen how the protest will develop in the coming hours and whether the rally will be accompanied by incidents, in a situation where political tensions remain high.
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