FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
With red and black flags and calls against Rama and Berisha, protesters warn of continued mobilization tomorrow
After more than two hours of rallying in front of the Prime Minister's Office, citizens have begun marching through the streets of the capital, taking the protest to another phase of mobilization.
With national flags and banners in their hands, protesters are peacefully walking through Tirana, while constantly chanting "The end has come for you and tomorrow more," a slogan that is dominating the march and is seen as a direct message to the political class.
During the march, there are also no shortage of chants of "Revolution", "Rama go away", "Resignation", "Rama in prison, Berisha in prison" and other slogans that have become symbols of the protests of recent days.
Today's protest was characterized by high participation and a series of political messages that went beyond the initial cause of Zvërnec. Citizens demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, while they did not spare criticism of the opposition led by Sali Berisha.
One of the most important developments of the day was the fact that for the first time, the idea of ââcreating a new political force was publicly floated from the protest podium, with the argument that citizens no longer feel represented by traditional parties.
As the march continues on the streets of Tirana, protesters have made it clear that the mobilization will not stop with today's protest. The message being conveyed by the crowd is that citizens will return to the square tomorrow, aiming for an even greater turnout on the ninth day of the protest.
One of the most touching moments of the protest held in front of the Prime Minister's Office was the speech of a mother of a child with autism, who raised the concerns of families who face a lack of institutional support every day.
Taking the podium, she said that the state does not provide basic services for children with autism spectrum disorders, while highlighting the difficulties parents face in securing treatment, therapy, and healthcare.
The protester demanded more specialized centers, medical services, and concrete support for families, denouncing what she described as discrimination and neglect towards this category.
"I am a parent of a child with autism! We are gathered here today in great numbers! I would like to ask you to listen to us in this cause of ours! God gave us a challenge, but we will turn it into a mission! Our state has violated us and continues to violate us! Give us 150 thousand lek! We want centers, we want medicine, dentists and minimal services! We go to hospitals and we are refused when we say we have children with autism! Please, stop discriminating against them! The situation is alarming, not to mention divorced mothers with children with autism, orphans! Stop discriminating against them! Enough has been done to defeat us, enough has been done to deceive us! Enough!" said the protester.
One of the protesters called for the unity of citizens and the establishment of a technical government, while harshly attacking the political class.
The protest in front of the Prime Minister's Office was also marked by strong calls against the government and the political class. One of the protesters addressed the citizens, appealing to them to unite and not give up on their cause.
During his speech, he accused Albanian politics of the state of the country and demanded the removal of the current government, supporting the idea of creating a technical government.
The protester stated that citizens should continue to mobilize and exert pressure for political change, while harshly criticizing Prime Minister Edi Rama and his relations with European leaders.
"The stinking politics that has destroyed our lives. If we get together, I will tell the prime minister that he is a criminal. We are Albanians, you fools. Albanians have shown evidence that they have overthrown, Greeks, Serbs, Turks, not 35 years ago, these pederasts who have sold families. Get together. Edi Rama licks Meloni's knees, and tramples on Albanians. There are no negotiations, we want a technical government... If it is necessary to shed blood like on January 21, I am ready to throw 4 children into the street... Knock these scumbags out... We are ready to shed blood... Just let these scumbags be overthrown from power ," he said.
Calls for Rama's resignation, against patronage and the political class, while citizens promise not to back down
The protest in front of the Prime Minister's Office is increasingly taking on the characteristics of a civic movement that unites different generations and layers of society. The rally held this Sunday was attended by children, families, young people and the elderly, in what participants consider one of the most civic protests in recent years.
One of the most moving moments of the rally was the speech of a child, who from the podium conveyed a message that was received with applause from the crowd gathered in front of the Prime Minister's Office.
" Albanians have fought for centuries for our Homeland! After all these sacrifices, we will not sell our lands to anyone! Albania is ours! ", he said.
Amidst chants of "Rama in prison," "Berisha in prison," and "Down with the patronageists," protesters demanded the removal of Prime Minister Edi Rama and profound changes in the way the country is governed.
A young protester also spoke on behalf of the younger generation, saying that the protest represents hope for a different Albania and a rejection of the current development model.
"I came out to the square today and every day because I see light at the end of the tunnel. I hope that we can build this country alone. Rama told us you don't want strategic investments, wrong; he said you don't want tourists, untrue. We don't want investments that damage our nature. We don't want investments that alienate culture. These are our values and these are us. The time has come for the Albanian people, the Albanian youth to change a wrong and rotten concept. We must build the state. Our grandparents suffered communism, our fathers fought communism, now it's our turn. Don't give up," he said.
The determination to continue the protest was also expressed by citizens who have been part of the rallies in front of the Prime Minister's Office for days.
" Let's stay until we remove him. Edi Rama, go to jail ," said a protester.
There were also strong messages regarding the recent statements of the prime minister, who has described the protesters with labels that have caused numerous reactions.
" We have been called honxho-bonxho, brainless, mindless. And today we are blocking tourism. But no, you are the one who surrounded Zvërnec. Can you tell me that I have to be from Zvërnec or Rrjolli to protect these places? If you don't have the courage, I will answer you. Albania is called the land where the house was. You have been talking about contracts for so many days. Thirteen years ago you signed for me. I went out to protest later, we told you that education is a failure. You count the votes, and we are the people who are leaving ," said a citizen.
As the protest enters its eighth day, the participation of families, youth, and children is giving it a different profile than traditional political protests. From the square in front of the Prime Minister's Office, not only opposition to the Zvërnec project is being articulated, but also broader demands for political change, accountability, and an Albania that, according to the protesters, should belong to its citizens.
Dy turistë italianë që ndodheshin në Tiranë iu bashkuan simbolikisht protestës së mbajtur para Kryeministrisë, duke komentuar deklaratat e kryeministrit Edi Rama, i cili më herët tha se protestat mund të ndikojnë negativisht te turistët dhe sezoni turistik.
Njëra prej turisteve italiane u shpreh se ajo dhe grupi me të cilin udhëton nuk ndihen të shqetësuar nga protestat. Sipas saj, është e rëndësishme që qytetarët të shprehin qëndrimet e tyre dhe të kërkojnë më shumë transparencë nga qeveria.
“Përshëndetje, ne jemi nga Italia. Jemi të lumtur që ndodhemi këtu me ju, si turistë në vendin tuaj. Vëllezër dhe motra shqiptarë, ne nuk kemi frikë. Protesta juaj nuk na tremb. Është e rëndësishme të ngrini zërin për të drejtat tuaja dhe për transparencën e qeverisë. Faleminderit për mikpritjen”, tha ajo.
Edhe një turist tjetër italian tha se gjatë ditëve të qëndrimit në Shqipëri ka vënë re një popull krenar që nuk ndikohet nga interesi financiar.
“Këto ditë që kam kaluar këtu kam parë një popull krenar. Kam parë njerëz që nuk përkulen para lekëve. Disa mund të mendojnë se ju blejnë, por nuk është kështu. Shqipëria u përket shqiptarëve. Vazhdoni përpara. Forca, Shqipëria”, u shpreh ai.
From attacks on protesters to influencer impersonations, the Prime Minister seems increasingly concerned about the growing revolt in front of the Prime Minister's Office
Instead of talking about the protest that has been gathering thousands of citizens in front of the Prime Minister's Office for days, Edi Rama chose to attract attention with another unusual performance in Elbasan.
During the Socialist Party's event, the prime minister put aside his political speech and began imitating popular social media girls who have expressed support for the protest against the project in Zvërnec. Gestures, facial expressions, and squirms that were more like a comedy skit than an appearance by a prime minister facing the biggest protest in recent months.
The footage was quickly shared on social media, causing numerous reactions and turning the moment into one of the most commented episodes of the political day.
At first glance, Rama seemed to be in a good mood and was mocking his opponents. But behind the ironies and imitations of the protesters, many see a growing concern in the face of a movement that is gaining ground by the day.
What is most striking is the fact that the main energy of the protest is coming precisely from the younger generation. Students, activists, bloggers, content creators and social media users are becoming the main engine of civic mobilization, constantly sharing videos, photos and messages in support of the protest.
The paradox is that many years ago, part of this youthful energy was on the side of Edi Rama himself. In the early 2000s, when social networks did not exist, Rama was seen by many young people as a symbol of new politics and an alternative to the establishment of the time. It was precisely that support from the younger generation that later became one of the main pillars that led him to power.
Today, after more than a decade in government, it seems that the relationship has been reversed. Those who once saw him as a symbol of change are protesting against him. As the protest continues to expand and take on political dimensions, the prime minister's recent reactions are being interpreted by many citizens as a sign that the pressure of the street is increasingly being felt within the walls of power.
Instead of responses to the protesters' demands, what was left of Elbasan were mainly imitations, jokes, and a video that, for many, made the prime minister the most commented character of the day.
The citizens' protest in front of the Prime Minister's Office in Tirana continued today, with the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama and a change in the political class in the country at the center of the demands.
Amidst banners, red and black flags, and chants of "Rama in prison, Berisha in prison," Albanian immigrants from different countries around the world also took the floor at the protest, expressing their support for the civic movement.
A citizen from Switzerland said that immigrants, despite leaving Albania, have not forgotten their country and nation, while calling on fellow countrymen to join the protests.
"We came from Switzerland, but we were the first to leave. But we have not forgotten our nation, our language. 'Rama in prison, Berisha in prison'. I appeal to the entire Diaspora and the Albanian diaspora. Maybe we have left and left you here, but we have never forgotten you and we have never forgotten our nation. Those cheap tickets that Rama sells as if he has done us an honor, he sells them so that we can leave as soon as possible. Come on June 10, let's make a pact with each other," he said.
Meanwhile, another protester from the United States stated that the immigrants did not leave to abandon Albania, but with the hope of returning and contributing to the country.
"I came from America. I want you to understand that I did not leave to never return to my homeland. So are immigrants everywhere in the world, like my job. We will return to build it. Let's unite against the dictatorial power, which we were unable to overthrow in '91. I call on the youth to unite. Unconditional resignation for Rama and Berisha, who are guilty of everything that has happened ," he said.
An immigrant from Shkodra, who has been living outside Albania for more than three decades, also participated in the protest. She blamed the political class for the country's situation and called on citizens not to leave Albania.
"I am from Shkodra, I have been in emigration for 34 years. It has come to us at the tip of our noses. Don't leave Albania, we will fight to the death here. No one is happy in emigration. Stay, Sali Berisha and Edi Rama should go to prison. They have made us flee, take the road. They have robbed us of our property. I beg you, don't leave Albania, don't leave it to the pigs. Enough. I call on emigration to come here. Come here. Take a vacation, come here. We want a better Albania," she said.
The protest in front of the Prime Minister's Office continues with speeches and calls against the government and the political class, while the organizers have warned that the mobilization will continue in the coming days.
In the protest held in front of the Prime Minister's Office, citizens brought a dinghy, turning it into a symbol of the mass immigration that has affected Albania in recent years.
According to the protesters, the commotion represents thousands of Albanians who have left the country in search of better living conditions and economic opportunities abroad, while many of them have not returned for years.
Through this symbolic action, the participants in the rally sought to draw attention to the phenomenon of immigration and the consequences it has brought to Albanian families and to our country.
The commotion was caused by protesters who have been opposing the project in Zvërnec for days and demanding the overthrow of the government, while their message was that the departure of young Albanians and families remains one of the country's greatest social wounds.
In the end, the protesters set the raft on fire, an action that represents revolt against the conditions that have forced thousands of Albanians to emigrate and build lives away from Albania.
Protest shakes up the caste of corrupt people in the DP and SP
In addition to calls against the government and the political class, the protest in front of the Prime Minister's Office is increasingly clearly articulating concrete proposals for changes in the country's political and institutional system.
Chanting the slogan "New Albania", the citizens presented several demands that they said aimed to reform the way of governance and the functioning of institutions. Among the main proposals was limiting the mandates of the prime minister and president to no more than two terms, as well as prohibiting the simultaneous holding of several political positions.
One of the protesters stated that the concentration of power in the hands of one person or a small group has led to the degradation of institutions and the lack of democratic control.
" The Prime Minister and the President should not have more than 2 mandates. The Prime Minister and ministers should no longer be MPs and party leaders. We see a Prime Minister, ministers, MPs and a Parliament Speaker who is a puppet. A party leader with all the powers. This must end because this is where the bad things come from ," the citizen said.
He also raised concerns about the justice system, calling for greater accountability for judges' decision-making.
" Judges give unfair decisions, we have suffered it ourselves, degenerate justice. They must be held criminally responsible for the wrong decisions ," he said.
The protester also focused on the political situation in the country, demanding the removal of both Prime Minister Edi Rama and the leader of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha.
" Rama should resign, Berisha should leave too, it's a false opposition ," declared the citizen.
Such demands are being heard more and more often in the protests of recent days, which from an opposition to the project in Zvërnec are turning into a broader platform of dissatisfaction with the political system and the country's institutions.
Pogradec has joined the protest movement that is spreading to various cities across the country, where dozens of citizens came out to an organized rally in the city center.
Gathered in the cinema square, the protesters expressed their solidarity with the citizens who have been protesting in Tirana and other areas of Albania for days, emphasizing that their cause is part of a broader civic reaction.
Protesters hold various banners such as "Oligarchs have no limits" or "today flamingos, tomorrow me".
"Grow the fig tree, not the palace by the lake," was another banner held by a citizen.
Citizens stated that they aim to raise public awareness and support the demands being raised in the nationwide protests, while calling for more civic engagement.
With Pogradec joining the wave of protests, the number of cities organizing anti-government rallies continues to grow. Organizers have announced that protests will continue in the coming days.
In front of the Prime Minister's Office building, citizens answered the question that has been prevailing for days about who is organizing the 'Flamingo revolution'. In ironic tones, a protester climbed to the podium, revealing the 'list' of leaders.
The list of protest leaders turned out to be a list of problems and dissatisfactions that citizens have towards the government.
"I have a very important announcement about the names of the organizing group, the long-awaited moment. The first is a 35-year-old boy called Shpopullim. The second is a girl also 35 years old, called Prona Private! The third and most important is the soul of this entire organization here, called Rinia Shqiptare! The fourth is our Children for whom we have all come out here to the square and I am proud! The fifth is a lady of her age who has left at least 160 thousand families waiting for years for a justice decision, Justice is one of the reasons and organizers of this protest! Albanians can no longer wait 10-15 years to get their rights! The sixth, today they say do not go to hospitals because the health system is a real horror that is not even worth fighting. The seventh, Naim Frashëri left the postulate, Education! We want quality education! The eighth is Agriculture, our farmers must be here, they must be offered the minimum conditions for produced for our children. Ninth, Pensioners! Let's fight this war for our grandparents! Last, the miners, the oil workers, those who left their homes without knowing if they will return and today are at the mercy of fate! ", said the young man.
As the eighth day of the civic protest against the Rama government is taking place in Tirana, parallel rallies have been held in Shkodra, where citizens of different ages, including children, have taken to the streets in support of the protesters' demands for the overthrow of the government.
This is the second day in a row that the citizens of Shkodra have organized a protest against the construction project of the resort in Zvërnec, linking the cause to broader demands for political change in the country.
The protesters marched along the city's pedestrian zone and then gathered in front of the Shkodra Municipality, where they conveyed their messages through banners and public appeals.
"Get up from the coffee shop," was one of the most frequently heard calls during the rally, with which protesters appealed to young people and other citizens to join the protests and engage in the civic cause.
Thousands of citizens gathered in front of the Prime Minister's Office on the eighth day of the protest, marching with banners and red and black flags in search of political change and the removal of Prime Minister Edi Rama.
Today marks the eighth day of citizens' protest against the political class and the Rama government. Thousands of protesters have gathered in front of the Prime Minister's Office in Tirana, continuing calls for political change and the removal of Prime Minister Edi Rama.
Equipped with banners and red and black flags, citizens initially marched from Skanderbeg Square to the Prime Minister's Office, where they then began delivering speeches and messages against the government.
During the rally, protesters articulated a series of demands, with the prime minister's resignation at the center. Among the crowd, chants such as "New Albania", "Resign" and "Edi Rama, you traitor", "Albania is not for sale", "Enough is enough".
"Our voice, our dignity, our future," reads the slogan in which citizens are invited to participate.
Footage from the protest shows a high participation of citizens, while organizers declare that the mobilization will continue in the coming days.
The protesters declared that the civic movement will continue until the government leaves, comparing the situation to the removal of the barbed wire fence in Zvërnec, an event that marked the beginning of the civic revolt.
According to them, the reaction against the project in Zvërnec turned into a broader cause, which has now transcended the borders of Albania and has also found support among the Albanian diaspora in many countries around the world.
"The fence was removed, let's remove these too!" was one of the messages of the protest, where citizens demanded the continuation of civic mobilization.
"We are here again for a purpose. The fence was removed, let's remove these too! Time to return the children who left for emigration to Albania. Enough is enough! Mr. Prime Minister, I have news for you, this time the diaspora will not come for a vacation but for a protest", said one of the protesters during the rally.
Calls against Edi Rama and Sali Berisha, while the protest is spreading to other cities and abroad
For the eighth consecutive day, the protest in front of the Prime Minister's Office has gathered a large number of citizens, confirming that the mobilization is not fading. From the first hours of the gathering, the boulevard in front of the government building has been filled with protesters who have come from Tirana and different areas of the country.
Unlike traditional political protests, this time the anger of citizens was directed simultaneously at Prime Minister Edi Rama and the leader of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha. The chants of "Rama go away", "Rama in prison", "Berisha in prison", "Revolution" and "New Albania" dominated the atmosphere of the protest throughout the rally.
The massive turnout was the most prominent feature of the eighth day. The crowd remained large for hours, as protesters declared that they did not feel represented by any of the traditional political forces and that they were seeking a more profound change than a simple rotation of power.
Protests against the figures who have dominated Albanian politics for years have been openly expressed in banners and public messages. Many protesters have called the ongoing clash between Rama and Berisha unacceptable, demanding a new political chapter for the country.
Meanwhile, the protest is not limited to Tirana. Rallies and support activities have also been held in other cities, while Albanians in the diaspora have continued organizing in several European countries, giving the movement a wider reach.
After eight days of mobilization, the high turnout and the messages directed simultaneously against Rama and Berisha are distinguishing this protest from ordinary political rallies, while the demand for a "New Albania" and for profound changes in the country's political life continues to dominate the square.
The Flamingo Revolution has entered its eighth day of protests today. Citizens from Tirana and other cities in the country have begun gathering in Skanderbeg Square, and are marching towards the Prime Minister's Office.
What started as a reaction against the controversial project in Zvërnec has now turned into a broader revolt against the government. Protesters' banners are dominated by messages such as "Rama is leaving", "Rama is resigning", "The homeland is not for sale", while there is no shortage of calls against the entire political class with slogans such as "Rama in prison, Berisha in prison".
According to the organizers, the protest is no longer just about Zvërnec. It represents the anger accumulated over years against what citizens consider to be the arrogance of the government, decision-making without public consultation, and favoring the interests of a minority to the detriment of the public interest.
The protesters have submitted five demands, the first and most important of which is the removal of Edi Rama's government. According to them, Albania is facing a crisis of representation and trust, while Zvërnec's cause was only the spark that ignited the revolt.
Throughout the week, protests have spread to several cities across the country, while also finding strong support from the Albanian diaspora. Similar rallies have been held in London, Berlin, Munich, Milan, Vienna, Toronto, New York and beyond.
Prime Minister Edi Rama was not even allowed to enjoy the 35th anniversary of the Socialist Party in peace.
While the activity in Elbasan was intended as a day of celebration for the socialists, a citizen decided to remind the head of government of the debate that has been dominating the news for days, displaying a banner against the investment project in the Zvërnec area.
The banner did not escape Rama's attention, who immediately reacted from the stage, asking the citizen to take it down.
"Take it down, take it down. Bravo! I said take that slogan down, since you wrote: 'What Vlora has, we can do it in the forums too'. Vlora, starting with those who are part of that development, are all for that development. Don't confuse these things," Rama said.
The prime minister then defended the project in Zvërnec, insisting that it is supported by the people involved in the development of the area.
The wave of protests against the Rama government is crossing Albania's borders, mobilizing more and more Albanians in the diaspora. From North America to the heart of Europe, hundreds of citizens have gathered in squares and main streets to express solidarity with protesters at home and to raise their voices against the current government.
After the rally in Toronto, Canada, hundreds of Albanians from the diaspora also gathered in Stuttgart, Germany, and Paris, France. Young people, children, and the elderly held national flags and banners with anti-government messages, while the rallies were dominated by chants such as: “Albania is ours!”, “Rama go!”, “Revolution!”, and “Albania does not belong to those in power!”.
The diaspora protests are extending parallel to those that have been heating up the political climate in Albania for days. From Tirana to London, Vienna, Milan, Berlin, Munich, Washington and Stockholm, Albanians are organizing to support each other and to convey the same message: the demand for change and the listening of the citizen voice.
(Albanians in Paris)
What began as a reaction to the developments in Zvërnec is gradually turning into a broader movement with political charge, uniting Albanians at home and abroad. For many of the protesters, participating in these rallies is not only an act of solidarity, but also a way to show that the connection with Albania remains strong despite the distance.
As the protests in Tirana have entered their eighth day, the diaspora is increasingly emerging as an important factor in this wave of civic reaction, giving international echo to the demands being articulated in Albania.
(Albanians in Stuttgart)
Protests by Albanians in the diaspora have continued in Canada, where hundreds of citizens have gathered in Toronto to express their dissatisfaction with the Albanian government.
The rally took place within the framework of protests organized by Albanian communities in various countries around the world, which have conveyed messages for political change and the removal of Prime Minister Edi Rama.
During the protest, participants chanted slogans in support of Albania and emphasized that the country belongs to the citizens and not to those in power. The calls for change were accompanied by messages similar to those heard in protests held in Tirana, other Albanian cities and several European capitals.
"Albania is ours, not those in power," "Revolution!", "Rama go!", were some of the chants.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Rama has reacted again regarding the protests and comments on social media. In a Facebook post, he criticized the offensive language used by some commentators, calling them "clowns."
"Treat me as much as you want, because your insults and curses only harm my health and willpower, but you have polluted the entire Albanian-speaking community of social networks with your 40-word vocabulary, 20 of which are swearing and filth," Rama wrote.
Lini një Përgjigje